CABINET OFFICE

EU Regulations

Bob Spink: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by the Department over each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: The Cabinet Office has been partially responsible for the implementation of one EU Directive in the past five years. The Women and Equality Unit, formerly part of Cabinet Office, implemented the Burden of Proof Directive (EC Directive 097/80/EC). However, the relevant statutory instrument, which came into force on 12 October 2001, was laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women, who has overall responsibility for women and equality issues.
	Directive 97/80/EC has effect in relation to the UK by virtue of Council Directive 98/52/EC, and is implemented in the UK through the Sex Discrimination (Indirect Discrimination and Burden of Proof) Regulations 2001. Its aim is to ensure that any measures implementing the principle of equal treatment are made more effective, thereby providing victims of sex discrimination with effective access to justice. The Directive also defines the concept of indirect discrimination.
	EC Regulations are, in general, directly applicable in the member states, without the need for further incorporation into national law. However, some Regulations require UK measures to make them workable and enforceable.
	The total number of EC, ECSC and Euratom Regulations made over each of the last five years is estimated to be:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998 2,852 
			 1999 2,802 
			 2000 2,882 
			 2001 2,600 
			 2002 (up to and including November) 2,125 
		
	
	It should be noted that many of these are small or technical Regulations to amend, implement or indeed repeal existing measures.
	It would incur disproportionate cost to identify which Government Department was responsible for each of these Regulations. The Cabinet Office rarely has lead responsibility for EC Regulations.

Government Funding

Chris Grayling: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) non-departmental public bodies, (b) Government agencies and (c) other public sector bodies were receiving funding from the Government in 1997; and how many are doing so in the current financial year.

Douglas Alexander: Information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), including the amount of Government funding each receives, has been published annually in the Cabinet Office "Public Bodies" publication. Data for the 1,128 NDPBs in operation across the UK as at 1 April 1997 are published in "Public Bodies 1997". The latest available data are available in "Public Bodies 2002". Copies of these publications are held in the House Libraries.
	All Executive Agencies are Government funded, with the exception of Trading Funds, which are established using Government funds, but which become self-financing through their commercial activities. The June 1997 List of Ministerial Responsibilities shows 137 Executive Agencies and 87 are shown in the October 2002 List. These publications are held in the House Libraries.
	Information on other bodies funded by Government is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Conflicts of Interest

David Davis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the basis for his assessment that it was prejudicial to the safety of the state to allow the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration to investigate whether Cabinet Ministers have ever had any conflict between their private interests and their public duties.

Douglas Alexander: The Government have made clear that they believe personal information provided by Ministers to their civil servants should be treated in complete confidence. The decision to issue a notice in this case was taken because the Government concluded that the release of certain personal, private information would not be in the public interest.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

General Elections

Philip Hammond: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission whether the Electoral Commission is examining the case for changing the method of ordering candidates' names on ballot papers at elections.

Peter Viggers: Yes. In its report, "Ballot Paper Design", published last month, the Commission indicated its concern that alphabetical discrimination could exist in multi-seat elections, while acknowledging that the information available at present was inconclusive.
	The Commission intends to support further research to establish the extent of the influence of alphabetic discrimination prior to making a final recommendation to the Government. In the meantime it has recommended that legislation be introduced to enable the piloting of alternative listing methods in order to assist in determining the impact of the present arrangements.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Mike Wood: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what action the Department is taking to boost humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: DFID allocated £44 million to support humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan last year. For the financial year 2003–04 we have allocated at least £5 million. This will be focused on aid to returning refugees and internally displaced persons and vulnerable, particularly women-headed, households. These are the largest groups in continued need of humanitarian assistance.
	The humanitarian situation has improved over the last 12 months with good rainfall over the winter and early spring. This has ameliorated the effects of the persistent drought.

African Great Lakes

Lynne Jones: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when the Department will publish its joint strategy paper on the African Great Lakes region.

Hilary Benn: DFID intends to make publicly available in the next few weeks a short summary document on its overall strategy for the Great Lakes region. The individual strategies for Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda will be available at around the same time.

Colonial Widows and Orphans Pension Schemes

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what research he has commissioned into (a) the annual cost and (b) the numbers involved, if widows who married officers after they had retired from the Service were included in the Colonial Widows and Orphans Pension Schemes.

Hilary Benn: No research has been commissioned into the annual cost or the numbers involved. Such information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The accuracy of DFID's records on contributors to the various Colonial Widows and Orphans Pensions Schemes is entirely dependent on the individuals concerned, keeping us informed of any changes in their marital status. Our records are, therefore, not necessarily up to date in respect of marriages which took place after the contributor's retirement.

EU Aid

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Department will take steps to ensure that aid channelled through the EU that has until now been spent in the 10 EU accession states will from 2004 to 2006 be spent instead in (a) sub-Saharan Africa and (b) south Asia on (i) development and (ii) water, sanitation and hygiene improvements towards the Millennium Development Goals.

Hilary Benn: From 2004, the Pre-Accession budget will continue to provide funding for Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Unallocated funds within the budget are being retained to handle any possible additional funding requirements for any new candidates up to 2006.
	In 2004, Cyprus and Malta will join the Union and Turkey will move from the External Relations to the Pre-Accession budget. This will free up £150 million annually in the External Relations budget for new commitments.
	Earmarking a sensible margin to support Iraq's reconstruction and the Middle East Peace Plan are a UK priority for the 2004 budget. The UK is also pressing for increased commitments to low income countries in Asia, particularly Afghanistan and support for the Global Health Fund, which would both help increase the European Commission's development budget poverty focus.
	Assistance for sub-Saharan Africa is provided primarily through the European Development Fund (EDF), a separate off-budget fund replenished directly by member states contributions. Finds cannot be transferred between the EC budget and the EDF. Programmes under the EDF are based on the priorities of recipient countries and include water, sanitation and health programmes.

EU Committees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list (a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on co-financing operations with European non-governmental development organisations in fields of interest to developing countries, (b) the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the house.

Hilary Benn: The EC NGO co-financing committee does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European Union member states. Since 17 April 2003, delegates from the 10 EU accession states have also been invited to attend most EU committees, including the NGO co-financing committee, as participating observers. The UK is usually represented on the EC NGO co-financing committee by one or two members of staff from the Information and Civil Society Department of DFID.
	The committee has met three times since January 2002, on 19 September 2002, 21 January 2003 and 3 June 2003. Agenda items considered on 19 September 2002 were:
	Information on 2001/2002 activities, and call for proposals for 2002
	Exchange of views on various co-financing instruments
	For opinion: framework agreements (in respect of 2000 call for proposals)
	Agenda items considered on 21 January 2003 were:
	Approval of co-financing instruments and envelopes for 2003
	Exchange of views on
	Activities in 2002
	New call for proposals 2003
	Co-financing instruments and envelopes for 2003
	Call for proposals for Framework Agreements in 2003
	Principle of an information exchange mechanism and set-up
	Proposal of rules of procedure for the NGO co-financing committee
	Agenda items considered on 3 June 2003 were:
	Policy orientations 2004–05 for budget line B7–6000
	Exchange of views on
	Proposals assessment based on concept notes
	Role of the Committee and implications of the new financial regulation
	Exchange mechanism with member states
	Guidelines on principles and best practices for participation of non-state actors
	Together with member states, the Commission has been conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of Comitology Committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". The Working Group on the Friends of Comitology is meeting later this month to discuss proposals for interim reform.
	As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of the Committee. The second report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 10 January 2002 ref. 5060/03, COM(03)733.
	As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every Comitology Committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Human Rights

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what measures the Department is taking to promote human rights in (a) Cuba and (b) Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: We do not have a bilateral government-to-government aid programme to Cuba nor do we have plans to develop one. As a member of the EU we support the EU Common Position on Cuba which requires the Government of Cuba to enhance democracy and safeguard human rights as a pre-condition for establishment of a formal framework agreement. This Common Position is now under review as part of a range of measures that the EU has implemented in response to the recent deterioration in human rights.
	The promotion of human rights underpins DFID's strategy in Afghanistan. All our work seeks to promote human rights, and to improve Afghans' ability to participate in civic and political life. DFID aims to achieve this by supporting specific activities, such as livelihoods and humanitarian projects aimed at helping the most vulnerable, while also supporting the development of a democratic, inclusive state that can provide security and basic services to its citizens.

Human Trafficking

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what aid has been given to agencies to provide support and assistance to victims of human trafficking for sexual reasons; what discussions she has had with (a) European and (b) other counterparts on the issue; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The trafficking of people is part of a wider set of issues related to the migration of poor people to better their lives, and to their vulnerability to national and international smugglers and traffickers. Trafficking is an international problem requiring co-ordinated action. DFID's role is to work to eliminate the poverty and social injustice that can lead to such abuse. Through our programmes to promote sustainable development and end poverty, DFID is helping to reduce the circumstances that give rise to this appalling trade, and which make women and children especially vulnerable. With other Government Departments, we are supporting the efforts of Governments and international agencies to strengthen social protection and justice in line with the international treaty framework covering these issues.
	For example, in south-east Asia, we are supporting the International Labour Organisation's work to reduce the trafficking of women, many of whom would enter the sex industry, in Laos, Thailand, China (Yunnan), Cambodia and Vietnam. It involves a number of activities to raise awareness and prevent the trade. In the Balkans we recently supported the International Organisation for Migration in training the various agencies dealing with the victims of trafficking, including police, social workers and the legal profession, in order to create and disseminate models of good practice.
	I have had to date no discussions with my counterparts on this specific issue.

Iraq

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the provision of humanitarian aid in Iraq.

Hilary Benn: DFID has so far committed £154 million in the current crisis—including £35 million announced on 26 June in response to the United Nations Revised Humanitarian Appeal for Iraq of 23 June. Most of this finance is channelled through organisations such as United Nations agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and NGOs, which have the capacity and expertise to mount operations quickly and effectively on the ground. A further £56 million is available to meet additional needs as they emerge.
	On 3 July I placed in the Library of the House details of this funding, and the work that has been undertaken so far.

Iraq

Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proportion of the population in each district of Iraq is (a) homeless, (b) living in temporary accommodation and (c) living on food rationing.

Hilary Benn: Reliable statistics for homeless people and those living in temporary accommodation in Iraq are not available. It is estimated that, before the recent conflict, between 600,000 and 800,000 people were displaced in the north of Iraq, mainly from Kirkuk and Mosul, by the Saddam regime's Arabisation policies and inter-ethnic fighting; and between 100,000 and 300,000 Shia people were displaced in the south following the Gulf War and state-sponsored drainage of the marshes. Assessments are being made of displacement that has resulted from the recent conflict. These include Arab families who were living in homes now being reclaimed by returning Kurds; and a number of families rendered destitute by war damage and looting.
	The Iraqi Ministry of Trade's Public Distribution System for food aid, which was re-launched on 1 June 2003, aims to distribute food rations to the entire Iraqi population of 27 million people. The World Food Programme estimates that the June ration reached about 95 per cent. of intended recipients.

Iraq

Paul Marsden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what percentage of the population in each district in Iraq have (a) access to clean water in their homes and (b) full time electricity.

Hilary Benn: Reliable statistics are not available by district in Iraq. Maintaining both clean water and electricity supplies has been a high priority for the coalition since the end of the recent conflict.
	In 2000, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF estimated that 48 per cent. of people in rural areas and 96 per cent. of people in urban areas had access to clean drinking water. The International Committee of the Red Cross has worked well with other humanitarian organisations, the UK military and local authorities to repair water facilities and provide water by alternative means while supplies have been disrupted, primarily by looting, after the recent conflict. The situation in many parts of the country, including Basra, Kirkuk and Mosul is now improving. Baghdad is now receiving 70 to 90 per cent. of its pre-war water supplies.
	Electricity installations did not sustain significant damage during the recent war, but power supplies are very variable as a result of previous lack of maintenance and subsequent looting and sabotage. Generation capacity is estimated at 50 to 60 per cent. of the country's needs.

Media Training

Howard Flight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Hilary Benn: My department does not hold these costs centrally. However, in the last six financial years DFID is aware of spending on media and voice training only for officials as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 793 
			 2001–02 0 
			 2000–01 588 
			 1999–2000 250 
			 1998–99 0 
			 1997–98 0 
		
	
	Notes:
	The cost in 2002–03 and 2000–01 was for media training for one official in each year.
	The cost for 1999–2000 represents voice coaching for two officials.
	A more detailed answer could be obtained only at disproportionate cost as this would involve disaggregating the cost of media and voice training from the cost of other courses which may contain elements of media and voice training.

Middle East

Nick Gibb: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the Department's assessment of the effectiveness of the principle of regional cumulation of goods in promoting (a) economic co-operation and (b) trade integration in the Middle East.

Hilary Benn: EU and Mediterranean partner trade ministers meeting in Palermo on 7 July 2003 agreed to extend the system of pan-European cumulation of origin to the Mediterranean partners (Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey). Cumulation of origin means goods can be processed using inputs from any source within the Euro-Mediterranean area, and take advantage of the system of preferential tariffs, which currently exists between Europe and the Mediterranean partners. As such, it should help to foster economic integration between Mediterranean partners and with Europe, enable goods to be produced more efficiently through sourcing the cheapest inputs, and encourage economies of scale. A subsequent assessment of the effectiveness of this agreement will eventually be possible.

Ministerial Meeting

Mark Oaten: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which countries will be attending the Cancun Ministerial Meeting this September; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: We expect most, if not all, of the 146 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to attend the 5th Ministerial meeting in Cancun in September. We recognise, however, that the ability and resources of some developing country members to participate meaningfully in WTO negotiations can be limited. As a result, the Government have offered £40,000 to a WTO Trust Fund to enable Ministers and officials from the least developed countries to attend the meeting in Cancun.
	More generally, the Government have committed to spending £45 million by 2004 on trade related capacity building. Activities funded include improving developing countries' ability to negotiate favourable deals in the WTO talks trade negotiations, helping them interpret trade agreements, and supporting them in taking advantage of new international trading opportunities.

Poverty Reduction Strategies

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development pursuant to the answer of 4 June 2003, Official Report, column 432W, if he will list the countries whose poverty reduction strategy papers now include sanitation, water supply and hygiene as a result of pressure from her Department.

Hilary Benn: Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are intended to be country-driven and owned, based on broad participation in their design, implementation and monitoring. PRSPs provide a focus for joint donor efforts, and so it is not possible allocate particular elements of countries' PRSPs to the actions of any one donor. DFID participates in formal and informal donor networks around PRSPs, has co-funded World bank-led workshops and has been active on PRSP preparation committees and working groups.
	DFID's strong commitment to achieving debt relief and poverty reduction in the world's poorest countries means that we are working actively with their Governments to support production of PRSPs. We are also supporting the consultative process that the PRSP requires, to ensure the strategy is built on broad-based consensus in which the poor have a voice. The majority of DFID country offices support the national PRSP process by promoting official or Government participation. We also give direct support to civil society to strengthen the impact of public action on poverty, and to encourage progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. DFID has worked with the World bank on the Poverty Reduction Strategy Sourcebook. This is a guide to assist countries in the development of poverty reduction strategies and includes advice on issues such as health, education, infrastructure, water and sanitation, macroeconomic policy, gender and the environment.
	DFID also supports major multi-lateral initiatives, such as the Water and Sanitation Program, that work to support national Governments and civil society in national PRSP processes. Research undertaken by the Water and Sanitation Program of Full and Interim PRSPs in Sub-Saharan Africa has found that treatment of water and sanitation is not comprehensive and often inconsistent. In particular, sanitation and solid waste management received inadequate attention. Also, despite the significant continuing work on sector reforms (e.g. decentralisation, rural and urban water and sanitation), their incorporation in the country PRSP initiatives requires considerable strengthening. The Uganda PRS was a notable exception having good coverage of water and sanitation issues, and serves as an illustration of good practice.
	DFID has also commissioned a research and advocacy project in sub-Saharan Africa that is being undertaken by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and WaterAid. The project is investigating how resources allocated to water supply and sanitation in PRSPs in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar and Uganda) are converting into actual expenditure on water and sanitation, and will make recommendations to improve the poverty reducing impact of this work. This will be completed in 2004 and is an important opportunity to support the building of sustainable improvements in local capacity in a way that is consistent with nationally owned poverty reduction strategies.

Romania

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department has given to Romania in each year since 1997.

Hilary Benn: The UK provides assistance to Romania through its' contribution to European Commission aid programmes and through a bi-lateral aid programme focused on Public Administration Reform, Social Policy Reform, Child Welfare Reform and Regional Development.
	Details of assistance are shown in the following table.
	
		Assistance to Romania in each year from 1997 -- £ million
		
			  UK Bi-lateral EC aid Of which: UK share 
		
		
			 1997 5.71 76.54 14.54 
			 1998 4.14 104.19 19.90 
			 1999 3.74 150.63 26.74 
			 2000 3.44 174.51 34.31 
			 2001 5.39 345.12 65.23 
			 2002 5.80 165.07 32.02 
		
	
	Europe and Central Asia Dept. 8 July 2003.

Uganda

Andy Reed: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian needs in Eastern Uganda as a consequence of the security situation.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 4 July 2003, Official Report, column 512W.

WTO Negotiations

Huw Edwards: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Government will make it their policy to support France's call for a moratorium on export subsidies during the current round of World Trade Organisation negotiations.

Hilary Benn: The UK has supported the French Africa initiative to the G8, which recognises the damaging effects of agricultural subsidies on African economies. Discussions around the French initiative during the recent G8 summit at Evian were also important to reiterate the importance of finding solutions to the commodities' problem and to improve the way in which preferential access into developed countries' markets operates for the benefit of developing countries.
	In the WTO, the UK is committed to reaching agreements on long-term agricultural trade rules, which are fair and non-discriminatory. These multilateral rules should aim to create the stable conditions necessary for the private sector to make long-term investment in developing countries' agriculture. In this context, the draft agricultural trade framework agreement (put forward by Stuart Harbinson) proposes that developed countries phase out all export subsidies within 10 years.

WTO Negotiations

Huw Edwards: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proposals her Department has for providing greater opportunities for poor countries competing for access to heavily protected markets in the developed world.

Hilary Benn: The Government believe that the current round of trade negotiations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will provide the best opportunity for improving developing country access to protected agricultural and non-agricultural markets in the developed world. Along with commitments to improve market access, the negotiations also aim to tackle developed countries' high levels of trade-distorting domestic support and use of export subsidies, which harm developing countries.
	At the fifth Ministerial meeting of the WTO in Cancun this September, Ministers will assess progress towards achieving the 'development' agenda set out in Doha in November 2001. This includes an assessment of the merits of already tabled proposals on market access. Specifically, the EU is pushing for an overall average tariff reduction of 36 per cent. in the agriculture negotiations, and a reduction of tariffs on non-agricultural goods to a maximum of 15 per cent. The EU is also pushing for all developed countries to fulfil their commitment to grant duty and quota free access for all products excluding arms originating in least developed countries.
	To ensure that trade rules benefit all individual developing countries, any new rules will have to consider the particular needs of countries in terms of development, food security and poverty reduction. For example, the current draft of WTO agricultural trade rules includes a number of special and differential provisions for developing countries, such as lower (subsidy and tariff) reduction commitments and longer implementation periods. Some provisions also aim to protect developing countries' food security by naming "special products" which would be subject to less market opening.
	The UK is a strong advocate of trade reform and a supporter of special and differential rules for developing countries. The recently agreed package of CAP reform is important in delinking subsidies from production which will help reduce the unfair competition against third parties, particularly developing countries.

WTO Negotiations

Huw Edwards: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if she will make a statement on the consultations held between her Department and campaigners for fair trade before the fifth World Trade Organisation ministerial conference in Cancun.

Hilary Benn: As part of its continuing dialogue and consultation with UK non-governmental organisation and campaigners working on trade and development issues, DFID held its biannual open day to discuss these issues on 26 June 2003 and I spent an hour with campaigners to listen to their concerns about the expansion of the WTO negotiating agenda to include new issues such as investment. I also answered questions on the Government's position on various trade issues in the run up to Cancun. In addition to these formal consultations, DFID officials are in regular contact with campaigners to discuss the details of current policies and proposals.

WTO Negotiations

Huw Edwards: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if the Government will press its partners in the developed world to commit to quota and tariff-free access to European and US markets for all imports from low-income countries in Africa.

Hilary Benn: The UK was one of the strongest advocates of the EU Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative, which allows duty and quota-free access into the EU for imports from Least Developed Countries.
	The UK is also very active within the G8 in finding ways to implement the Africa Action Plan, which include commitments to improve all existing preferential schemes, so as to ensure that these effectively benefit the targeted countries.
	In the WTO, the UK supports the Commission's proposal that 50 per cent of imports from developing countries into the developed countries should be duty free—including those from African low-income countries.

WTO Negotiations

Huw Edwards: To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proposals the Government has to revive negotiations over the implementation of the Doha Agreements to improve the access to markets for developing countries.

Hilary Benn: The Government are working for faster progress in the Doha round, especially on the issues that matter most to developing countries: agriculture, Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and public health, and special and differential treatment. For example, we are in dialogue with the US and the pharmaceutical companies in order to find a way forwards on TRIPS and public health.
	The agreed package of reforms to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is an important step towards making global trade in agriculture fairer for developing countries. In the context of the WTO negotiations, now that the EU has moved on agriculture, others must be prepared to follow suit. We hope that the CAP deal will inject new momentum into the Doha round.
	The Government are committed to doing what we can to ensure the Cancun Ministerial delivers real benefits to developing countries and helps keep the round to the 1 January 2005 deadline for negotiations to be concluded.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Advantage West Midlands

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding Advantage West Midlands gave to projects in North Staffordshire in 2002–03; and what the (a) internal spending and (b) fundraising targets were for 2002–03.

Jacqui Smith: AWM funding to projects in North Staffs in 2002–03 was £19 million.
	It is not possible to provide the fund raising targets for these projects. The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the expenditure on information technology by the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary has been in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1998–99 40,266 
			 1999–2000 119,255 
			 2000–01 147,701 
			 2001–02 595,927 
			 2002–03 456,493 
		
	
	Due to the UKAEAC being a part of UKAEA all the IT services infrastructure is managed within the parent organisation's expenditure.

Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place a copy of the latest information technology strategy document for the Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary in the Library.

Stephen Timms: The document referred to is classified Restricted and contains information which could potentially be of use to terrorists. It therefore cannot be made publicly available "under exemption l(a) information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs; of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information."

BNFL (Safety)

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what security considerations underpinned the decision to withhold from publication the full safety analysis conducted by BNFL of its building B30 at Sellafield.

Stephen Timms: It is not Government policy to disclose information relating to civil nuclear facilities which could potentially be of use to terrorist "under Exemption l(a) information whose disclosure would harm national security—of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information." A version of the report which did not include such sensitive information was placed in the Libraries of the House in June this year.

Broadband

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the oral answer of the Minister for Energy, E-Commerce and Postal Services, of 3 July 2003, Official Report, columns 527–28, in which areas schools with wireless broadband access have become hubs for the local community; what external sources of finance were used; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 8 July 2003
	Through the Alston Cybermoor project in East Cumbria, 600 homes are served by their local school connections, and a number of schools act as hubs in Co. Durham providing onbound access to both community, L. A. and business users. The Cumbria and Lancashire Education Online have also helped the small rural communities of Hawkhead and Coniston. The Buckfastleigh project is using a mixture of fixed-line and wireless connections. Jeff Joseph Sale Moor Technology College, Cheshire, has established an open-to-all wireless broadband access point located in a council house in the centre of a local estate. The wireless network is intended to give broadband access from anywhere in the college and up to 5km in to the local community.
	Other areas are looking into the possibility of becoming hubs, e.g. Kent LEA. Pilots in Surrey and Isle of White are in the development stage.
	All school wireless connections are government funded (Department for Education and Skills, and the DTI through the Regional Development Agencies), with non-school users only being charged for their share of the costs.

Civil Servants

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new entrants to the Civil Service were employed in her Department in each of the last five years; and how many in each year were aged 50 or over.

Patricia Hewitt: The figures for my Department, based on headcount for the number of permanent staff, are as follows:
	
		
			  Over age 50 Under age 50 Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 49 389 438 
			 1998–99 66 502 558 
			 1999–2000 47 585 632 
			 2000–01 110 666 776 
			 2001–02 112 843 955 
			 Grand total 384 2,985 3,359 
		
	
	These are the overall figures for the Department, including its Agencies and include permanent staff transfers into the DTI from: (i) other government departments and (ii) as a result of machinery of government change.

Compulsory Liability Insurance

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost of an employer's compulsory liability insurance claim was in each year since 1998.

Des Browne: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department published a first stage report on employers' liability insurance that looked at the issue on 3 June. Copies are in the Library.
	One of the key external stakeholders representing the insurance industry was the Association of British Insurers (ABI). They have calculated the average cost of Employers' Liability claims using historical patterns to estimate the settlement cost of claims which are currently outstanding. Their estimates are as follows:
	
		Estimated cost of outstanding claims
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1998 11,900 
			 1999 13,100 
			 2000 12,700 
			 2001 16,000 
			 2002 16,200

Digital Broadcasting

Liz Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to publicise good practice in inclusive design and (b) provide data, guidelines and case studies relating to inclusive design to those involved in the design and production of (i) digital television products, (ii) digital radio products and (iii) telecommunications products.

Stephen Timms: The Department is committed to encouraging good design and this is done principally through our involvement in standards work. The placing of accessibility features in standards ensures that all products of that type include them. We actively participate in drafting key standards. A major conference was held earlier this year by the European Standards Bodies in conjunction with the Commission to promote inclusive design.
	A task listed in the Action Plan of the Digital Television Project, jointly led by DTI and DCMS, is to "address human factors issues including access for disabled people". The DTI commissioned a scoping report from Loughborough University in 2002 and has commissioned follow-up work with Scientific Generics Limited including a report on inclusive design which is due in Q3, 2003. On 10 July 2003, DTI hosted an Intellect seminar on Digital Terrestrial Television Product Usability which was attended by a number of key manufacturers of television receivers."Usability for All" was the main theme of the seminar.

Digital Broadcasting

Liz Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with manufacturers of digital radios on improving the accessibility of this equipment for visually impaired people.

Stephen Timms: DTI officials have regular discussions with manufacturers of radio receivers on the development of digital radio technology, applications and markers. Although UK sales of digital radio receivers have increased in recent months, the market is still at a very early stage. We expect to see a greater range of receivers on offer over the coming months, including those with larger clearer screens, which will make digital radio programmes more accessible to all, including visually impaired people. Options being considered by manufacturers for the figure include digital radios with audio guides which read alound what is currently displayed as text.
	Access to digital radio services is not limited to the current range of digital radio receivers. Many digital radio services can also be accessed by digital television receivers and computers, providing a greater range of options for the visually impaired and others.
	As noted in my reply to my hon. Friend's Question No. 111167, OFCOM will have powers to act to further the interests of consumers on such issues as ease of accessibility.

Electricity Generation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the provision of electricity from coal fired power stations displacing power from plants that are more environmentally friendly; and what efforts are being made to encourage the use of electricity from environmentally friendly plants in the future.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 8 July 2003
	The choice of which generating plant to use to meet their contracts with electricity suppliers is a commercial matter for the electricity generating companies.
	Electricity generators face limits imposed by the environment Agency on a variety of emissions with environmental impacts. Examples of emissions limited by the Agency in this way include sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, emissions of which are generally higher from coal plant than from other types of generation.
	Coal fired generation also produces higher levels of carbon dioxide emissions than most other forms of generation. The Agency does not set limits for emissions of carbon dioxide from power stations. However, a trading scheme for carbon dioxide emissions is due to be launched by the European Union in January 2005. This scheme will cover all fossil fuelled power stations and will give generators direct financial incentives to reduce carbon emissions.
	Our February 2003 Energy White Paper sets out our strategy for using competitive markets to reconcile environmental considerations with the electricity needs of homes and businesses. The White Paper stated that,
	"we will make the new trading scheme a central plank of our future emissions reduction policies, through which the traded carbon market can set a signal for the value of carbon reductions in the economy".
	Although there are at present no direct incentives on electricity generators to reduce carbon emissions, we have put in place a number of other policies to encourage environmentally friendly forms of generation. The most significant of these policies are (a) the Renewables Obligation, launched in April 2002, which encourages electricity suppliers to contract for increasing quantities of power from renewable sources and (b) exemption from the climate change levy of electricity from renewable source and from good quality combined heat and power plant.
	The electricity sector has made significant progress in reducing environmentally harmful emissions over the past decade. Between 1990 and 2002, its emissions of carbon dioxide fell by about 20 per cent. and between 1990 and 2001 its emissions of sulphur dioxide fell by about 73 per cent. (figures for 2002 are not yet available). By contracts, emission of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide from all other sources over the same periods fell by 3 per cent. and 62 per cent. respectively.

EU Contracts

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to reduce the procedural requirements involved in bidding for EU public sector contracts.

Jacqui Smith: The UK has taken an active part in the negotiations on the European Commission proposals to simplify, clarify and modernise the existing public procurement directives. The proposals have just completed their second reading by the European Parliament. Once adopted, the new public procurement directives will provide an up-to-date framework within which efficient and non-discriminatory procurement can take place.

Everything but Arms Agreement

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 329W, on the Everything but Arms agreement, if she will assess the impact of the Everything but Arms agreement on trade exports to the United Kingdom by non-least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Patricia Hewitt: Comparing figures for calendar year 2000 with the year to March 2003 shows trade exports to the United Kingdom by non-least developed countries (non-LDCs 1 ) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) increased by 27 per cent. to £5.15 billion. Over the same period, the total value of exports to the United Kingdom from least developed countries (LDCs) in SSA increased by 82 per cent. though still at a relatively low level of £265 million. We hope to see these figures grow further as their economies adjust to the greater export opportunities offered by EBA, which came into effect in March 2001.
	1 Non-LDCs in SSA are: Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, South Africa, Namibia, St Helen, Seychelles, British Indian Ocean Territories, Mayotte and Mauritius

Innovation Budget (Textiles)

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the projects supported by her Department's Innovation Budget involving technical textiles.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has supported the following individual technical textile projects under the Innovation Budget:
	Innovative non-woven rail foundation materials that will help to drain rainwater and stabilise the rail track-bed.
	Durability of geosynthetics to investigate the durability of geotextiles used in road construction.
	Flexible fire barriers that are light and strong to replace traditional construction materials.
	Conductive materials including 'qwerty' keypad for use as pressure sensors.
	Electrically conductive fabrics for use in the "wearable computer"
	Technical textile bandages which provide a measured pressure to help treat leg
	Venous ulcer patients and to prevent deep vein thrombosis in long flight passengers
	Technical textile-based limb protectors and ballistic helmets, to provide lighter and stronger equipment for the armed forces and police
	Double cloth technology—to develop the capabilities of double cloth weaving for use in various fibres
	Fire resistant polypropylene yarns for use in cheap carpets and furnishing fabrics used in public spaces
	Hybrid laminates from adhesive thermo-bonding Universal insulation system to provide an improved balance in performance clothing between comfort and protection from heat
	Laser seaming of performance textiles to provide cloth seams of predictable and consistent strength
	Impact-resistant non-wovens for use as motorcycle protective clothing and body armour
	Fire resistant fabrics based on rare animal fibres that combine high performance with luxury finish for example in aircraft and yachts
	Designing advanced fibre ropes, e.g. for mooring oilrigs in very deep waters
	Technical textile CAD, develop and implement a Computer Aided
	Engineering (CAE) system in the technical textiles sector
	Textile-reinforced composites
	Warp/weft-knitted fabrics with metal wire content, for electromagnetic shielding that can fit around bodies
	Novel lap joint for non-wovens, which ensures the join is as strong as the rest of the material
	Long-staple yarn for technical textile applications, combining the best properties of natural and man-made fibres in high-strength materials
	3D seamless flatbed knitting with various applications e.g. in healthcare: seamless whole body bandages for burns victims and other skin treatments
	3D nonwovens—A project that will allow manufacturers to predict more closely the porosity and weight of a finished product such as a dust filter
	Technical Textile Project Co-ordinator, to help companies find partners and funding for R and D
	National Advisor on Technical Textiles to the industry-led Textile and Clothing Strategy Group
	Technical textile database, in order to help suppliers and manufacturers in the industry find partners for commerce and R and D.

Media Training

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to her Department of media and voice training for Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: There has been no cost to the Department for media and voice training for Ministers since 1997.
	For DTI officials, the majority of the Department's training budget is allocated to individual Directorates. Each Directorate has responsibility for managing, monitoring and evaluating at training events in line with the Departmental business and training plans. Disproportionate costs would be incurred to collate the data centrally for the purposes of answering this question.

Mobile Phones

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to her Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997.

Patricia Hewitt: Responsibility for the provision of mobile telephones for official purposes and for payment of the associated call charges was devolved to individual directorates, agencies and NDPBs at the end of March 1993. Since August 1997, the DTI has increasingly made use of the central Mobile Telecommunications contract managed by the Office for Government Commerce. This contract provides a call-off arrangement for DTI users at advantageous prices ensuring that the Department obtains good value for money. Due to the devolved responsibility for mobile telephone management the only information that can be provided at non-disproportionate cost is expenditure with DTI's main suppliers of mobile telephony.
	The figures available are:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 1998 90,881 
			 1999 263,123 
			 2000 226,695 
			 2001 342,964 
			 2002 342,881 
		
	
	Figures are not available for 1997 due to a change in the Department's Accounting System over that period.

Post (Lost Items)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many lost items of post there have been (a) so far in 2003 and (b) in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail Group plc, I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of Royal Mail to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Post Office

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effect on the level of subsidy payable to post offices if the number of Post Office card accounts opened exceeds the Government's estimates; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Government financial support for the Post Office network is not affected by any particular number of Post Office card accounts. Universal banking went live in post offices on 1 April 2003 as scheduled. There is an effect on payments to the Post Office through its contracts with government departments, but the Post Office is now providing electronic access to a wide range of bank accounts and is looking to extend these further.

Post Office

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have closed in Leicester since 1997; what research has been done by her Department into the closure of post offices in Leicester; and what representations she has received from honourable Members concerning the closure of post offices in Leicester.

Stephen Timms: Decisions on post office closures are an operational matter for Post Office Ltd and I have asked the Chief Executive to respond directly to the hon. Member about closures in Leicester. In addition to representations from the hon. Member for Leicester East, my hon. Friend has received one representation from Leicester city council.

Renewable Energy

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the biomass fuel burnt under subsidy as an energy resource in the last 12 months came from (a) new sources of material, (b) material that would otherwise go to waste and (c) raw materials that can serve a useful purpose in industry; what the expected figures are for (i) 2005 and (ii) 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: In 2002 the following amounts of biomass fuel were used in the UK. Biomass used for electricity generation may be eligible for support under the Renewables Obligation or the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation and Climate Change Levy exemption.
	
		Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent
		
			  Electricity generation Heatingpurposes(1) 
		
		
			 Wood waste — 266 
			 Wood — 204 
			 Poultry litter, meat and bone, straw, farm waste and short rotation coppice 283 72 
			 Municipal solid waste, general industrial waste and hospital waste 672 91 
		
	
	(1) No payments are made under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, the Renewables Obligation or the Renewables (Scotland) Obligation for the burning of biomass fuels for the provision of heat.
	Source:
	Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics.
	A more detailed breakdown is not available because it would disclose data for individual companies that are given to the Department in confidence. Only short rotation coppice is classed as "new sources of material". Information on the amount of wood and wood waste that could be used by industry as a raw material is not centrally available, but the Forestry Commission is currently undertaking a Woodfuel Resource Study. Estimates for 2005 and 2010 are not available.

Renewable Energy

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 5 June 2003, Official Report, column 298, on renewable energy, if she will to meet the Director of the Wood Panel Industries Federation to discuss the impact on the industry of subsidised biomass fuel.

Stephen Timms: As the Minister for Energy I am in discussion with the Chairman of the Trade and Industry Select Committee about a meeting with a deputation of MPs and representatives of the Wood Panel Industries Federation to discuss the impact of the Government's renewable energy policy on UK wood-based panel manufacturing.

Occidental Jetty

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation she has had with (a) the owners of the Occidental Jetty on Canvey Island and (b) others on future uses of that jetty in connection with the production of energy from wind.

Stephen Timms: None, although my officials are aware of local press speculation on this subject.

Selby

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the assistance given by the Department in respect of redundancies at the Selby coal complex; and what the redundancy terms are.

Stephen Timms: On 16 July 2002 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced the Government's intention to pay £10 million to UK Coal plc to support redundancy payments arising from the announced closure of the Selby coal mine complex in North Yorkshire by spring 2004, with the loss of approximately 2,000 jobs. The Government is providing this support as aid to cover exceptional costs under Article 7(2) and 7(3) of the Council Regulation on State aid to the coal industry. The European Commission gave formal approval to the state aid on 27 May 2003. A first instalment of £1.8 million was paid to UK Coal in June. The assistance will allow UK Coal to extend pre-privatisation redundancy terms to affected employees until March 2005.
	The Government have also set up a regeneration programme for the local area, implementing the agreed recommendations of the report by Lord Haskins, Chairman of the Selby Coalfield Task Force.

Small Businesses

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing a one-stop shop for the allocation of public funds grants and advice for small businesses.

Nigel Griffiths: As a result of feedback from key stakeholders, DTI has reviewed the support it offers to business. A simpler, more effective set of business support products is being put in place. A new web-based 'Business Support Directory' also provides information to customers and intermediaries on all of the current business support schemes and new business support products.

Street Works

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 9 April 2003, Official Report, column 268W, on street works, what the agenda was for the discussions with telecom operators; what representations were made to her Department; what decisions were made; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The discussions covered a number of regulatory issues of concern to the operators, including the impact of the proposed changes to streetworks legislation on the development of broadband. It was agreed that any new streetworks legislation should have regard not only to increased cost and disruption to the transport system, but also to the compliance cost on telecoms operators and their customers, and in particular its potential to distort or restrict competition in the telecoms market. The regulatory impact assessment required for any new legislative proposals will need to address these issues.

Telecommunications and Broadcasting

Liz Blackman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department has produced a policy statement on inclusive design in relation to consumer equipment in the (a) telecommunications and (b) broadcasting sectors; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The powers and duties of OFCOM under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and the current Communications Bill will enable it to act decisively to further the interests of consumers and the community as a whole. I am sure that the benefits of inclusive design will be one area that OFCOM will be keen to encourage.

Wood

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what research has been undertaken on the possible distortion of the wood supply market in the UK as a result of the Renewables Obligation; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures she is taking to discourage the burning of wood products used in industry as a raw material as a subsidised biomass fuel for energy production.

Stephen Timms: The Forestry Commission, working with others, are currently undertaking a Woodfuel Resource Study, which will quantify the resource from traditional forests, sawmill co-product, arboricultural arisings and short rotation coppice. Defra and the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have funded studies on the quantity and location of recovered wood.
	As a result of market pressures, the forestry industry has been investigating alternative end uses for its products. The forest industry regards energy generation using wood as an important new market to explore.
	I am aware that generators are also investigating the possibilities presented through the use of non-wood materials as a source of biomass for use in co-firing. At present, large co-firers are testing the feasibility of using wood as well as imported olive cake and palm oil husks.

Wood

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to promote the use of wood wastes with no commercial value as a biomass fuel.

Stephen Timms: The Government are providing support for the use of wood waste as a biomass fuel in a number of ways, as outlined in reply on 24 June 2003, Official Report, column 683W and 26 June 2003, Official Report, column 927W. This will help to deliver the Government's policy objectives on national energy production. The support schemes do not apply to other uses of wood waste.

Wood

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research she undertook prior to the introduction of the Renewables Obligation into its impact on the wood panel industry.

Stephen Timms: We carried out three full consultations on the Renewables Obligation before its introduction on 1 April 2002. The first consultation paper, "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the UK for the 21st Century", was issued in March 1999 and was accompanied by Supporting Analysis produced by ETSU . The report presented an up to date status report on new and renewable energy and flagged up issues concerning forestry wastes and also the socio-economic implications of renewables.

Wood

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the wood panel industry regarding the impact on their supplies of basic raw material of electricity generators using wood residues as a green fuel.

Stephen Timms: My officials are facilitating work between representatives of the UK wood industry and co-firing power stations to explore the opportunities offered by co-firing under the Obligation for UK Forestry, and, in particular, the potential for using by-products from existing wood industries. Working groups continue to meet.
	It is hoped that this initiative, if successful, will have the dual benefit of reducing imports and making more biomass available for a larger market in the UK, thereby helping to stabilise prices.
	We understand from the forestry industry that it can meet demand from power generators from existing surplus forestry material.

TRANSPORT

Air Safety

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents there have been in each of the last five years of objects falling from commercial airlines over the UK; and how many falling objects have caused (a) personal injury and (b) damage to buildings in each year.

Tony McNulty: During the 5-year period from 1 January 1998 until 31 December 2002 there were 309 reports to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of objects falling from commercial airlines. A breakdown for each of the years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Minor personal injury Third party building damage Total objects 
		
		
			 1998 1 21 54 
			 1999 0 32 66 
			 2000 1 36 68 
			 2001 1 19 59 
			 2002 0 27 62

Airports

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost was of the consultation exercise on airports policy.

Tony McNulty: Since July last year to date, "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom" consultation is estimated to have cost around £4,200,000, inclusive of VAT.

Airports

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about airport expansion.

Tony McNulty: The national consultation ended on 30 June. We estimate that at least 300,000 responses have been received from across the UK. This includes formal responses, questionnaires, petitions and other representations.

Buses

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local bus passengers there were in each year since 1998–99 in (a) London, (b) English metropolitan areas, (c) English shire counties and (d) England.

Tony McNulty: Information on the number of local bus passenger journeys in each year since 1998–99 in each of the areas of England is published by the Department in Table 10 of "A Bulletin of Public Transport Statistics GB, 2002 edition". The publication is available in the Libraries of the House and on the Department's website at www.transtat.gov.uk/tables/2002/pts/pts.htm.

Buses

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the public subsidy is for 2003–04 to local bus services for (a) London, (b) English metropolitan areas, (c) English shire counties and (d) England, separately identifying the (i) concessionary fare subsidy and (ii) fuel duty rebate.

Tony McNulty: Local transport authorities make their own decisions on the amount to be spent on supporting local bus services and subsidising concessionary fares. No forecasts of the totals expected for the current year are available. However, the figures for 2001–02, the last year for which information is currently available, were:
	
		Public transport support for local bus services(2)
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 London 193 
			 English met areas 122 
			 English shires 138 
			 Total England 453 
		
	
	(2) Includes administration costs and expenditure met from the Department's grant schemes
	
		Concessionary fares reimbursement (for local buses)
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 London 122 
			 English met areas 194 
			 English shires 131 
			 Total England 447 
		
	
	Expenditure by my Department in the current financial. year on payments to bus operators in England of Bus Service Operators Grant (formerly called fuel duty rebate) is forecast to total £335 million, of which about £75 million is expected to be to London operators. No estimates are available of the split of this expenditure outside London between operators in metropolitan areas and shire counties.

Buses

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the financial assistance given by the Government to local authorities for the implementation within their areas of concessionary bus fares.

Tony McNulty: In England about £450 million per year is spent by local authorities on concessionary travel by bus. That expenditure, along with other costs falling on local authorities, is covered by the contribution that the Government makes to local authorities through the annual grant settlement.

Buses

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of passengers carried by a bus in general public service was in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The average number of passengers carried by a local bus in England was nine in 2001–02, the latest year for which a figure is available.

Buses

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of passengers travelling at any one time on a bendy-bus was in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The average number of passengers travelling at any one time on a bendy-bus in London is 24.

Car Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of people travelling in a car on public roads was in the last year for which figures are available.

David Jamieson: The National Travel Survey shows that in the three years 1999–2001 the average car occupancy was 1.6 people per car on public roads.

Driving Tests

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the performance of the Driving Standards Agency booking hotline for practical driving tests; how many telephone calls have been received on average per day by the Driving Standards Agency booking hotline for practical driving tests; how many staff are employed to handle calls to the Driving Standards Agency booking hotline for practical driving tests; and what the average waiting time has been for allocation of (a) a driving theory test and (b) a practical driving test by the Driving Standards Agency.

David Jamieson: The Driving Standards Agency has a single national telephone number for booking theory and practical driving tests. Over three quarters of those who call the number reach a call centre agent, and 93 per cent. of those who get through speak with an agent within 20 seconds.
	During 2002–2003, some 13,730 calls a day were made to the Driving Standards Agency's national practical test booking telephone line. The Agency currently employs some 220 call centre agents to handle calls for practical test bookings.
	During 2002–2003, 99 per cent. of theory test candidates got an appointment at their preferred test centre within two weeks of their preferred date. During the same period, the national average waiting time for a practical driving test was 7.8 weeks.

Maritime Safety

Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revisions he proposes to make to maritime safety procedures off the West Coast of Scotland, with particular reference to the sinking of the Jumbo on 29 June.

David Jamieson: We await publication of the report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch into this incident and will consider carefully any recommendations for improving maritime safety procedures.

Motorway Speed Limits

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 8 July 2003, ref 123834, if he will place in the Library the assessment his Department has made of the road safety implications of increasing motorway speed limits.

David Jamieson: The assessment carried out in 2001 into the possible effects of raising the motorway speed limit was an internal review of the available evidence. In its evidence to the Transport Select Committee on Road Traffic Speed, the Department gave both oral and written evidence to support its conclusion that the current motorway speed limit should be retained. The Select Committee's Report refers to this information together with other evidence. These documents are already available in the Libraries of the House.

Motorway Speed Limits

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental implications of increasing motorway speed limits to 80 mph.

David Jamieson: The assessment carried out in 2001 showed that any increase in the motorway speed limit would result in an increase in both emissions and noise.

Rail Accident (Worcestershire)

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) investigations and (b) inquiries he will conduct into the incident at Charlton, Worcestershire on Monday 7 July involving a mini-bus and First Great Western train; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: There is an on-going British Transport Police (BTP) investigation into the accident at the Pools user worked level crossing, at Charlton in Worcestershire on 7 July involving a minibus and a First Great Western high-speed train. The Health and Safety Executive is providing technical support to the BTP-led investigation.
	Network Rail is carrying out a full internal investigation into the cause of the accident, to ensure that any lessons are learned to minimise the risks associated with this type of level crossing.

Rail Freight

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact the decision to cut funding for rail freight schemes will have on the environment.

Tony McNulty: Suspension of the freight grant schemes was a short-term budgetary decision. The Strategic Rail Authority plan to reopen the Freight Facility and Track Access Grant schemes in the autumn for spend from April 2004, subject to available funding.

Rail Safety

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new safety standards have been put in place following the Hatfield rail disaster.

Tony McNulty: Following the Hatfield derailment, Network Rail (then Railtrack), the infrastructure controller, made two significant changes to the way railway maintenance safety standards are managed on the railways. The first specified more detailed and prescriptive requirements for the inspection and rectification of rails exhibiting rolling contact fatigue. The second involved the implementation of more stringent requirements for general track inspections to enable better monitoring of rail condition.
	Network Rail is fundamentally changing the way it manages rail maintenance. Its New Maintenance Programme ensures that Network Rail decides what work is completed and when. Network Rail is also taking direct control of three maintenance contract areas. This will give Network Rail clearer control of the works being completed and will help provide a safer, more reliable and efficient railway infrastructure.

Rail Travel

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the percentage of train passengers who travel to and from stations by (a) car and (b) taxi.

Tony McNulty: The National Travel Survey shows that, in the three years 1999–2001, where surface rail was the main mode of transport, a car was used for 30 per cent. of trips to travel to and from the station. A further 6 per cent. of trips involved the use of a taxi or minicab.

Railways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has (a) to refurbish railway stations and (b) to replace track from Liverpool Street to Romford.

Tony McNulty: Network Rail are responsible for the maintenance and renewal of all railway infrastructure, including track. They have a continuing programme of track maintenance and renewal between London Liverpool Street and Romford. Stations are being repainted along this section of line by the train operator. Further work on stations is being discussed in the negotiations for the letting of the Greater Anglia rail franchise.

Regional Airports

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries which have (a) agreed, (b) failed to agree and (c) not responded to his predecessor's statement of 10 June 1998 on multilateral agreements on 3rd and 4th freedoms at regional airports.

Tony McNulty: Officials wrote to our bilateral aviation partners in June 1998 proposing to lift all capacity restrictions on services between UK airports, other than London Heathrow and London Gatwick, and points in the other country by airlines of both sides.
	The responses to the offer are:
	(a) accepted the offer
	Bahrain
	Belarus (subject to finalising air services agreement)
	Bulgaria
	Cameroon
	Fiji
	Hong Kong SAR
	Jamaica
	Jordan
	Republic of Korea
	Malaysia
	Maldives
	Mexico
	Namibia
	Pakistan
	Qatar
	Sri Lanka (not yet implemented)
	Tanzania
	Turkmenistan
	(b) rejected the offer
	Armenia
	Australia (to be considered as part of liberalisation talks)
	Azerbaijan
	Bangladesh
	Botswana
	Brazil
	Brunei
	Egypt
	Georgia
	Indonesia
	Iran
	Japan
	Kazakhstan
	Kyrgyzstan (originally rejected, but now reconsidering)
	Lebanon
	Malawi
	Mauritius
	Moldova
	Mongolia
	Myanmar
	Nigeria
	Oman (originally accepted, but subsequently reconsidered)
	Saudi Arabia
	Seychelles
	Singapore (initially rejected, but capacity on all routes now unlimited)
	Syria
	Thailand (replied—still considering offer)
	Ukraine
	Vietnam
	Yemen (c) no reply
	Algeria
	Antigua & Barbuda
	Argentina
	Chile
	Congo Democratic Republic
	Cote d'lvoire
	Cyprus
	Ethiopia
	Gabon
	Ghana
	Hungary
	India
	Israel
	Kenya
	Kuwait
	Morocco
	Nepal
	Philippines
	Russian Federation
	Senegal
	Sierra Leone
	South Africa (new offer made)
	Sudan
	Turkey
	Uganda
	Zambia
	Zimbabwe
	(d) We did not write to the following countries because the air service arrangements do not specify capacity or frequency limits, which in our view provides unlimited access to UK regional airports:
	All European Union Member States
	Angola
	Bahamas
	Barbados
	Bolivia
	Canada
	Costa Rica
	Czech Republic
	Dominican Republic
	Ecuador
	El Salvador
	Estonia
	Latvia
	Lithuania
	New Zealand
	Poland
	Rwanda
	Slovakia
	Switzerland
	Tunisia
	United Arab Emirates
	United States of America
	Uruguay
	Uzbekistan
	(e) Due to political and/or aviation bilateral considerations, we have not made the regional access offer to the following countries:
	Afghanistan
	People's Republic of China
	Colombia
	Gambia
	Iraq
	Liberia
	Libya
	Macao Special Administrative Region
	Taiwan
	Tajikistan

Road Safety

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the effect of providing lighting on the whole of the motorway system on the number of recorded accidents.

David Jamieson: No estimate has been made of the effect of lighting the whole of the motorway network. Research has shown that where motorway lighting is provided the number of reported accidents can be reduced by about 8 per cent. and can result in a reduction of night-time personal injury accidents by as much as 30 per cent.
	Lighting is generally only provided where there are particular problems and where the economic assessments show the cost of installation and operation of lighting is exceeded by the benefits of reduced night-time accidents. At present, approximately 30 per cent. of motorways are lit.

Roads

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many trunk road projects are proposed;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the progress with improving the road system.

David Jamieson: My Department is only responsible for road projects in England outside London. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's, statement to this House on 9 July made clear our commitment to improving the nation's roads and other forms of transport, in both the immediate and the longer terms.
	The Government's Target Programme of Improvements currently contains 72 major trunk road improvement proposals tackling congestion, providing safety benefits and relieving communities of traffic. Since June last year, 12 other major trunk road schemes have been opened. A number of other major trunk road improvements have been proposed, mainly through the multi-modal study process. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's announcement covered 11 of these studies. The Highways Agency have been asked to do further development work on over 30 road proposals, includingactive traffic management and other technology related improvements on various parts of the motorway and trunk road network. Similar work is also being carried out on other projects following our responses to eight other multi-modal studies within the last two years.
	Since December 2000, over 60 major road schemes, often bringing safety and quality of life benefits, have been proposed by local authorities and received provisional or full approval by the Government to proceed. We are expecting around 20 further such proposals to be submitted as part of this year's Local Transport Settlement process.

Roads

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what the backlog of road maintenance is in England;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the total cost of the local road maintenance backlog.

David Jamieson: There is not a backlog of maintenance on motorways and trunk roads in England.
	On local roads the maintenance backlogs were estimated in 2000 as £2 billion on carriageways and footways, £750 million on bridges and other structures, and £1
	billion on street lighting. Since then the Department, through the Roads Liaison Group, has been developing better inventory systems and condition indicators that will allow more accurate and up to date estimates to be made of backlogs.
	The Government is committed in the 10 Year Plan for Transport to tackling all the backlogs in local road maintenance by 2010 and is providing £31 billion of funding over the Plan's period for this purpose.

Streetworks

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to release a consultation paper on streetworks legislation.

David Jamieson: We have held a series of consultations in recent years as part of revisions to the secondary legislation governing utility street works under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Most recently, consultation ended on 27 June on a revised version of the "Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street Works and Highway Works".
	Officials in my department have also held a series of consultative meetings recently with representatives of utility companies and local authorities about possible changes to the legislative framework governing utility works which might be included in a forthcoming Traffic Management Bill.

West Coast Main Line

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra trains will be able to run carrying passengers on the West Coast main line following the upgrade.

Kim Howells: The West Coast Main Line Strategy, published by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2003, provides for an 80 per cent. increase in the route's capacity for long distance passenger trains

West Coast Main Line

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the anticipated rate of profit or loss on the West Coast mainline upgrade investment is.

Kim Howells: The West Coast Main Line Strategy, published by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2003, estimates the passenger and freight benefits of the upgrade investment to be more than twice the costs.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Athletics

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote increased participation in athletics in schools and sports clubs in England.

Richard Caborn: Athletics is benefiting from the Government's investment of over £8 million on building new, and strengthen existing, links between schools and sports clubs. This investment will build on the existing physical education and sport opportunities available to all young people in schools and increase opportunities for participation in national governing body affiliated, or otherwise accredited, clubs offering high quality sporting experiences.

Digital Broadcasting

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the proportion of homes in (a) the North West of England, (b) Cumbria and (c) South Lakeland which are unable to receive the Freeview service; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: The information is not available in the form requested. The Independent Television Commission has produced a UK digital terrestrial television (DTT) coverage update including a coverage map. I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The broadcasters have established databases which give coverage predictions by postcode for DTT across the UK. These can be consulted via the websites: www.dtg.org.uk; www.freeview.co.uk.

EnglandNet Project

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the total cost to her Department of the implementation of the EnglandNet project.

Richard Caborn: The total cost of the EnglandNet project is as follows:
	
		£
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 Total 
		
		
			 DCMS grant-in-aid funding via ETC/ VisitBritain 769,000 265,000 852,000 1,886,000 
			 Capital Modernisation Fund 50,000 550,000 0 600,000 
			 Invest to Save Fund 0 1,328,000 2,077,000 3,405,000 
			 Total all funding 819,000 2,143,000 2,929,000 5,891,000 
		
	
	In addition, £300,000 from the capital modernisation fund has been spent to enable tourist information centres to get connected to the internet, and thereby be able to use the extranet provided by EnglandNet, and £150,000 from the invest to save budget has been used to support work on e-business awareness and training for tourism businesses in rural areas.

Gambling

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to legislate on the gambling industry; and when she plans to publish a White Paper on this matter.

Richard Caborn: The White Paper, "A safe bet for success" (Cm 5397), was published in March 2002.
	We will bring forward legislation on the gambling industry as soon as Parliamentary time permits. We also intend that Parliament should have an opportunity to give our proposals pre-legislative scrutiny, and plan to publish draft clauses to that end.

IT Projects

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 she authorised expenditure on in each of the last three financial years.

Richard Caborn: Decisions on authorisation of expenditure are taken by the appropriate project or programme board. The word "authorised" has been interpreted to mean having an approved business case.
	The major IT projects which this Department took forward in each of the last three financial years are:
	2002–03
	Golden Jubilee Website
	Golden Jubilee Awards Database
	Redevelopment of the Department's website
	Redevelopment of the Department's Intranet
	Development of a staff skills database
	A pilot of Electronic Document and Records Management (on-going)
	2001–02
	Export licensing system
	Replacement of HR system
	2000–01
	Technology refresh
	Correspondence tracking
	Public appointments

IT Projects

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Department spent on IT (a) licences, (b) maintenance, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year.

Richard Caborn: DCMS spent £284,885 on software, which includes the costs of any licences, £146,174 on maintenance and £223,116 on hardware in the last financial year.

Lottery Awards

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many lottery awards there were to organisations in the Poole constituency in each year since 1997; and what the average number of awards per constituency was in each year.

Estelle Morris: The number of lottery awards made in Poole, and as a constituency average across the UK, is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year Poole Constituency average across UK 
		
		
			 1997 12 22 
			 1998 10 13 
			 1999 21 31 
			 2000 20 36 
			 2001 21 31 
			 2002 23 39 
			 2003 8 15 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures for 2003 refer to the period between January 1 and June 30.

Major Sporting Events

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the major sporting events hosted by the UK and funded by UK Sport in each year since 1996–97 to the provisional programme for 2003–04.

Richard Caborn: The following events were hosted by the UK and funded by UK Sport in each year since 1996–97 along with the provisional programme for 2003–04.
	1996–97
	No events
	1997–98
	No events
	1998–99
	World Cross Country Championships
	1999–2000
	European Show Jumping Championships
	World Disability Water Ski Championships
	European Europe Class Sailing Championships
	World Judo Championships
	World Indoor Climbing Championships
	European Sports Aerobics Championships
	European Three Day Event Young Riders Championships
	European Junior Badminton Championships
	Pre Olympic and Pre European Boxing Championships
	Pre Olympic Women's Hockey Championships
	Junior European Target Championships (Archery) 2000–01
	Modern Penthalon World Cup Qualifier
	Finn Gold Cup Sailing
	Canoe Marathon World Cup
	Spar European Athletics Cup
	European Young Riders Championships
	World Track Cycling Championships
	Rugby League World Cup
	European Badminton Championships
	World Curling Championships
	World Grand Prix Gymnastics Finals
	World Netball Youth Cup
	European Junior Top Twelve Table Tennis Championships
	World Indoor Bowls Ladies Singles Championships
	2001–02
	World Amateur Boxing Championships
	Canoe Marathon World Championships
	World Half Marathon Championships
	Commonwealth Shooting Federation Championships
	World Modern Pentathlon
	2002–03
	World Indoor Athletic Championships
	2003–04
	World Badminton Championships
	European Dressage Championships
	World Disabled Badminton Championships
	International 420 Class Sailing Championships
	World Triathlon Cup
	European Cross Country Championships
	European Junior Swimming and Diving Championships

Millennium Commission

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her answer of 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 31W, on the Millennium Commission, which of the major projects have received money from local authorities; how much was spent on each of the projects; when the money was spent by the local authorities on those projects; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chair of the Millennium Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of both Houses.

National Lottery

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the revisions to the National Lottery system will affect the distribution of funds to seaside resorts.

Estelle Morris: The changes to the lottery announced on 3 July 2003 include proposals to make it easier to apply for funding, to involve the public in how lottery money is spent and to make sure it's spent wisely. This should encourage people to play the lottery which, in turn, will provide revenue for the good causes and benefit all areas. Since the introduction of the 1998 Lottery Act and changes to policy directions, distributors have increasingly focussed on areas of social and economic deprivation including seaside resorts. The National Lottery has funded, and continues to fund, numerous projects which bring widespread benefits to many seaside communities across the country.

School Playing Fields

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Department for Education on protecting school playing fields.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed school playing fields issues with her right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on 24 June 2003.
	In addition, DCMS officials and those from the Department for Education and Skills have had regular discussions on playing field matters.
	These discussions have informed the Government's strategy for protecting school playing fields.

Sports Funding

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with (a) ministerial colleagues in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) the Local Government Association about the provision of sporting facilities run by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed the provision of local authority sporting facilities with representatives from the Local Government Association (LGA) on 11 June.
	A number of recommendations to improve delivery of sport by local government were put forward in Game Plan, the Government's strategy for delivering sport and physical activity objectives. This Department is committed to working with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the LGA towards achieving these objectives.

Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance is available to develop areas of sustainable tourism; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Sustainable tourism is relevant to all tourism areas, including coastal resorts, historic and modern cities, rural areas and man-made visitor attractions. We set out the policy framework necessary to achieve progress in the Tomorrow's Tourism strategy. To implement sustainable tourism requires action by a wide range of partners, including Government Departments and their agencies, Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), local authorities, the tourism industry and organisations with environmental, conservation or social exclusion remits. Actions initiated by DCMS include giving VisitBritain a remit to market England to encourage domestic tourism and the 'Fitness for Purpose' initiative to provide customers with a firmer assurance that hotels, and the restaurants within them, are fit for trading. RDAs are promoting sustainable tourism as part of their enhanced role in the strategic leadership of tourism, which links with their statutory remit for sustainable development. Local authorities can help promote sustainable tourism through spatial planning and approaches to visitor management and Business Links provide practical guidance to tourism businesses on matters such as energy efficiency and reducing waste. Everyone has something to contribute towards achieving sustainable tourism in every part of the country and it is in everyone's interest to do so.

Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Access All Areas programme is being promoted in all tourist areas.

Richard Caborn: Access All Areas is a nation-wide award scheme run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Launched in May 2003, the scheme runs until September, and aims to recognise and congratulate small businesses and organisations, of all types, which offer accessible and innovative services for disabled people. Through DWP's efforts the scheme has been promoted by VisitBritain, both on its web site and in an e-mail newsletter sent to 200,000 tourism businesses, and by the Tourism Skills Network, who advertised the award on its web site. DCMS sponsors VisitBritain as the lead body for tourism, and has communicated Access All Areas to those responsible for accessible tourism in England's regional tourist boards.

Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what type of marketing procedures have been used to promote VisitBritain to local communities.

Richard Caborn: VisitBritain uses a range of corporate communication tools to inform local tourism communities about its activities, including e-mail, a dedicated trade website, press releases, a quarterly corporate newsletter, press and trade-dedicated information leaflets and brochures. It also provides regional tourist boards, and other destination marketing organizations, with feature articles for use in their own communications.
	VisitBritain's representatives regularly meet tourism businesses at regional events and hold trade surgeries throughout the country.

Tourism

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much she estimates will be spent by her Department on funding the e-commerce impact assessment on the UK tourism sector.

Richard Caborn: The e-commerce impact assessment on the tourism industry was commissioned and managed jointly by this Department and UK Online for Business. This study was one of a series assessing the impact of e-commerce on more than 50 key sectors, all of which were funded by UK Online for Business. The costs for this study, including consultancy, printing, dissemination and publicity were approximately £68,000.

Tourism (Disability Access)

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has to introduce an indicator for disability access friendly services within the tourism sector.

Richard Caborn: The Tourism For All National Accessibility Standard was agreed in 1993 as a mechanism for assessing the accessibility of tourist accommodation, both serviced and self-catering, and to help operators promote these facilities. It was reviewed, expanded and relaunched as the National Accessible Scheme in 2002.

Tourism (Disability Access)

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what types of incentives are available for tourism-related small businesses that are renovating their premises to improve access for people with disabilities.

Richard Caborn: In October 2004 the final phase of Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 comes into force. Organisations that provide a service to the public, which includes most small businesses in the tourism sector, are required to tackle physical features that make it impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled customer to use their service.
	However, the DDA only requires service providers to make "reasonable" adjustments. The Act allows flexibility for service providers in considering how to make their services accessible to disabled people. All circumstances would be considered when interpreting what is "reasonable", including the cost of an adjustment, its practicality, and the extent of a service provider's resources. What might be considered reasonable for a national hotel chain may not be so for a small guesthouse. Financial incentives should not therefore be needed, apart from the clear business case for providing good service for disabled people and their family and friends, whose overall annual spending power is estimated at £45 billion.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bovine TB

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered owing to bovine TB in each year since 1997 (a) in Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) in Shropshire.

Ben Bradshaw: The data requested are not available for the parliamentary constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham. However, the number of cattle slaughtered under bovine TB measures in Shropshire, from 1997 to 2002, is given in the following table:
	
		Number of cattle slaughtered in Shropshire under bovine TB control measures 1997–2002(3)
		
			  Number of cattle slaughtered 
		
		
			 1997 28 
			 1998 40 
			 1999 36 
			 2000 221 
			 2001 120 
			 2002 48 
		
	
	(3) TB Reactors plus direct contacts.
	Note:
	In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests, which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also, the proportion of high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, the number of TB reactors identified and slaughtered in 2002 is not comparable to those identified and slaughtered in previous years.

Bovine TB

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of cattle herds in (a) the south-west region and (b) England and Wales suffered an incidence of bovine TB in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000, (iii) 2001 and (iv) 2002.

Ben Bradshaw: The table provides information on the incidence of bovine TB in (a) State Veterinary Service (SVS) west region and (b) England and Wales between 1999 and 2002. There is no SVS south-west region, but west region, which includes the counties listed, covers the south-west of England.
	
		Area TB herd incidence 1999–2002(4) -- Percentage
		
			  1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 (a) West region 4.04 4.82 5.96 7.35 
			 Avon 2.58 3.70 7.41 5.97 
			 Cornwall 3.67 4.70 5.55 7.97 
			 Devon 2.93 3.49 5.79 5.50 
			 Dorset 2.31 1.18 3.74 4.27 
			 Gloucestershire 8.82 10.85 9.47 14.64 
			 Hereford and Worcester 6.40 7.65 9.17 11.70 
			 Shropshire 0.22 1.72 2.37 3.29 
			 Somerset 2.71 4.35 3.45 4.88 
			 Wiltshire 6.77 5.20 6.02 8.55 
			 (b) England and Wales 2.55 3.14 4.19 4.52 
			 England 2.63 3.29 3.94 4.78 
			 Wales 2.15 2.47 5.10 3.61 
		
	
	(4) Confirmed new herd incidents as a percentage of tests on unrestricted herds.
	Note:
	In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests, which would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also, the proportion of high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, herd incidence in 2002 is not comparable to that of previous years.

Bovine TB

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress in respect of the TB Forum; and when it is expected to reach conclusions.

Ben Bradshaw: The remit of the TB Forum is 'to consider new measures which might be taken to control TB in cattle'. The Forum is a consultative group, with no formal advisory or decision making role. It is the main vehicle for informing key interest groups on developments on policy in bovine TB and it provides a sounding board for exploring new policy options. The Forum met last on 23 June 2003.
	The EFRA Committee in its report on Badgers and Bovine TB, Seventh Report of Session 2002–03, recommended that members of the Forum should reassess what role it should play and that Defra should consider redefining its remit. In its response, published on 24 June 2003, by the Committee as the Eighth Special Report of Session 2002–03, the Government explain that relationships between the Government and stakeholders will be addressed in light of the Animal Health and Welfare Interim Strategy and in the development of a new TB Strategy.

Consultation Documents

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the consultation documents issued by her Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation.

Alun Michael: Defra believes that policy development should be carried out in close consultation with stakeholders. Formal consultation documents are only part of this process, which can also include, for example:
	stakeholder meetings;
	listening events/public meetings;
	web forums;
	public surveys;
	focus groups;
	regional events;
	free-phone and freepost surveys and events;
	targeted leaflet campaigns; and
	roadshows and exhibitions.
	The specific information requested is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, a list of all written consultations exercises carried out by Defra since its formation, including copies of the documents, can be obtained from the Department's website at: www.defra.gov.uk in the section entitled "Consultations".

Entertainment Costs

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she has entertained Labour hon. Members at public expense in the last 12 months, and at what cost.

Margaret Beckett: I have not done so.

EU Committees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Committee on Statistics relating to the trading of goods with non-member countries, the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, the decisions it has made since January 2002 and the means used to communicate these decisions to the House.

John Healey: The Committee on Statistics relating to the trading of goods with non-member countries does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 member states. Delegates from the 10 EU accession states attended the last meeting as active observers. The UK Government are represented by officials from HM Customs and Excise, occasionally accompanied by an official from the Office for National Statistics, depending on the agenda.
	Since January 2002, the Committee has met five times on:
	7 March 2002;
	27 to 28 June 2002;
	14 to 15 November 2002;
	12 to 13 March 2003; and
	25 to 26 June 2003.
	Agenda items considered and decisions made by the Committee since January 2002 all relate to the implementation, interpretation and application of EC legislation dealing with the collection of extra EC trade statistics. The main items under discussion by the Committee during the period in question have been the impact of EU enlargement, actions relating to the collection, processing and dissemination of data and work programmes intended to improve data quality.
	Accountability and transparency to Parliament is ensured by the regular EU scrutiny process: documents which fall within the Scrutiny Terms of Reference are deposited within Parliament along with an Explanatory Memorandum for examination by the Scrutiny Committees.
	Together with member states, the Commission has been conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to 'simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission'. The Working Group on the Friends of Comitology is meeting later this month to discuss proposals for interim reform.
	The Commission is obliged to publish an annual report on the workings of the Committees. The latest report (Com (2002) 733 final, dated 13/12/02) has been published and was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 10 January 2003.
	The UK Government have also encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

Information Technology

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much she spent on IT (a) maintenance, (b) licences, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year.

Alun Michael: During the financial year 2002–03, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (excluding Agencies and NDPBs) spent £6,225,184 on IT maintenance, £308,342 on licences, £3,910,025 on proprietary software and £12,088,211 on hardware (including operating system software on PCs and servers and first year maintenance where appropriate). The software spend includes some licence costs, which cannot easily be identified without disproportionate cost.
	These figures include payments to Fujitsu Services Ltd., with whom the Department has a framework contract, of approximately £4,090,033 on IT maintenance, £320,000 for licences, £1,500,000 for proprietary software and £11,866,000 for hardware purchases.

Marketing Budgets

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 2 April 2003, Official Report, column 767W, on marketing budgets, if she will place evaluations of the campaigns funded in the Library.

Ben Bradshaw: Regarding general consumer information on organic food, no evaluation is available since the possibility of providing such information is still under consideration. As was said in the response to the question from the Member for Bridgwater, direct funding is not available from Defra to support advertising campaigns.
	On the marketing of organic and other quality agricultural products under the Rural Enterprise Scheme, funding is offered to individual businesses or representative organisations to assist with marketing initiatives. These projects are commercial in nature and the information is treated as confidential. Expected outcomes from these, and all other Rural Enterprise Scheme projects, are considered as part of the scheme's application assessment process against published aims for the scheme and to ensure that the Government investment achieves good value for money. The performance of each project is monitored during its lifetime to ensure agreed output targets are achieved. The effectiveness of RES support will be evaluated as part of Defra's normal policy evaluation programme.
	Certain information on individual awards made under the Rural Enterprise Scheme can be provided by Defra on request. More detailed information about projects which are likely to be of particular public interest are announced through Defra News Releases, available on the Government News Network website.

Ministerial Visits (Scotland)

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times she has visited Scotland on official duties each year since 2000; and what meetings were held on each occasion.

Margaret Beckett: I visit Scotland from time to time on official duties. In line with Exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to release details of specific meetings or their content, as some of these discussions may have taken place on a confidential basis.

Overseas Trips

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the overseas trips made by (a) herself, (b) her ministerial team and (c) departmental staff in each month since 1 October 2002, broken down by (i) the participating Ministers, (ii) the destination of the trip, (iii) the purpose of the trip and (iv) the cost of the trip.

Margaret Beckett: I and members of my ministerial team make frequent overseas trips at EU and UN fora and more widely in pursuit of Defra business. The Government publish an annual report of ministerial travel overseas. All travel by Defra civil servants is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Management Code. The detailed information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Rights of Way

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost in total is of completing the mapping exercise under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Alun Michael: The cost of implementing Part 1 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in England was £13.5 million to the end of March 2003.
	The Countryside Agency has estimated that the remainder of the mapping exercise including contractor costs, staff and publicity will require a further £22.1 million. This is an estimated cost and there are still large external factors to be taken into account, such as the number of comment forms received from the public which need to be determined and the number of appeals to be heard. These variables could have a large impact on the final costs of the mapping exercise.
	The Planning Inspectorate has spent £1.5 million up to the end of March 2003 and has a budget of £2.5 million this year. It is not possible to give a total cost for the Planning Inspectorate as this will depend on the number of appeals received.
	Information on costs in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Telecommunication Masts

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

Alun Michael: Since August 2001, when the current planning regulations on mobile telecommunications masts came into force, there have been three planning applications (relating to one site only) and no applications for prior approval to locate mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

Village Grants

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about Vital Village grants; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: We have received 14 representations from MP's and members of the public about uncertainty that was caused by the temporary hold the Countryside Agency put on decision making in the Vital Villages grant programme.
	The Countryside Agency lifted the hold on decision making in the first week of July 2003 and is now assessing grant applications.
	The Agency tells me that the hold was put in place in order to decide how to cope with a very high demand for grants. High demand for the Vital Villages grant scheme is a feature of its success, but the Agency has reviewed its priorities and will ensure that those communities in most need receive support.

PRIME MINISTER

Department for International Development

Gregory Barker: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the last six months regarding the future of the Department for International Development as an independent Department; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects and will continue to do so. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of confidential discussions, under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Child Guardianship

Tim Loughton: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many children are awaiting decisions from CAFCASS on whether they should be removed from the care of their parents or guardians.

Margaret Hodge: The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) does not make the decision to remove children from the care of their parents or guardians, or hold hearings on future guardianship. Court hearings are held to determine these questions. A CAFCASS practitioner represents the interests of a child during proceedings. The court considers all the evidence before it, including CAFCASS reports, and makes the decision about the child's future. At the end of April 2003, CAFCASS were dealing with 12,245 public law cases (care, adoption, freeing orders and guardianship) that were at various stages between application and final hearing. Information on how many children are awaiting hearings on future guardianship is not held centrally and could not be collected without incurring disproportionate cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Iraq

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what forum he intends prosecutions for human rights abuses, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq be tried.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 246W.
	No decision has yet been made in what forum prosecutions for human rights abuses, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Iraq will be tried.
	We believe that it should be for the Iraqi people to decide whether and how to bring to justice those who have committed crimes against them, with suitable international help.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his memorandum to the Foreign Affairs Committee of 16 June, which documents were examined which were found to be forgeries; which documents on Iraq's alleged uranium procurement are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the procedure being used to distinguish between genuine and forged documents.

Bill Rammell: We understand that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) acquired documents on this subject in February 2003. These documents did not originate in the United Kingdom. Some of these turned out to be forgeries. We have now seen the documents passed to the IAEA and agree that some of them are forgeries. Others are still under consideration. We do not know the precise origin or history of these documents.
	I cannot comment on procedures to distinguish between different documents or on the documents themselves, as it is the longstanding policy of successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the good and unforged evidence that Iraq sought materials from Niger mentioned by Sir Jeremy Greenstock in his interview with David Usborne of the Independent was passed to the International Atomic Energy Authority.

Bill Rammell: The evidence referred to by Sir Jeremy Greenstock does not derive from UK sources. We have encouraged all states to make available to the International Atomic Energy Agency any evidence which they possess.

Iraq

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government have officially informed the International Atomic Energy Authority that they do not concur with its conclusions on allegations that Iraq sought to procure substantial quantities of uranium from Africa.

Bill Rammell: No. We have, however, made a number of public statements to the effect that we believe that there is good evidence to support our assertion that Iraq tried to procure uranium.

Iraq

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 2003, Official Report, columns 46–7W, on visas (Syria), how many (a) applications from students and (b) entry clearance applications to (i) visit the UK and (ii) settle in the UK were approved in each year.

Chris Mullin: I regret that the figures in my answer to my hon. Friend on 16 June 2003, Official Report, columns 46–7W, were not accurate. The correct figures are as follows:
	In the calendar year 2000, the British embassy in Damascus received 815 student applications. Of these, 535 visas were successful. In the financial year 2001–2002, 845 student applications were received and 502 visas were issued. In the financial year 2002–2003, 657 student applications were received and 432 visas were issued.
	The number of visit visa applications received in Damascus in the calendar year 2000 was 5,720. Of these 4,263 were successful. In the financial year 2001–2002, 3,758 applications were received and 3,525 visas were issued. In the financial year 2002–2003, 5,068 applications were received and of these 4,208 were successful.
	In the calendar year 2000, our embassy in Damascus received 140 settlement applications. Of these, 71 were successful. In the financial year 2001–2002 165 applications were received and 178 visas were issued. This apparent discrepancy is due to the fact that applications can be carried forward from one month to the next before being resolved. In the financial year 2002–2003, 368 applications for settlement in the United Kingdom were received. Of these, 280 were successful.

Iraq

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK Government is taking to promote human rights in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Phil Sawford) on 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 558W.

Iraq

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the UK Government is taking to ensure implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution 57/232 on deployment of human rights monitors.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) on 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 471W.

Arms Exports

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which countries Ministers in his Department conducted arms promotion activities in (a) 2002 and (b) 2003 to date; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: pursuant to the answer, 15 May 2003, Official Report, c. 403W
	An administrative error led to an omission in my answer of 15 May to the right hon. Member. The correct answer should read as follows:
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly conduct overseas visits in the course of which they promote British exports, including those of defence equipment. For 2002, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers carried out such promotion activities in Chile, India, and Singapore; and in 2003 to date, Singapore. In 2002, Ministers also carried out promotion in the Czechoslovakia Republic, Slovakia and Tanzania, but while in the UK. In 2003, Ministerial promotion also took place in India, but while the Minister was in the UK.

Bali

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what intelligence his Department received in advance of the terrorist attack in Bali of 12 October 2002; whether this was reflected in advice to travellers on the Department's website; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary to the House on 21 October 2002, Official Report, columns 21–24.

EU Committees

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in the Department serve on EU committees or working parties.

Denis MacShane: Membership of EU Committees and Working Parties is not fixed. Depending on the subject matter under consideration, the most appropriate policy officials, including those on the staff of the UK Permanent Representatives, therefore attend the meetings of EU Committees and Working Parties. Given the wide-ranging and fluctuating nature of the subject matter, attendance can vary significantly from meeting to meeting. The precise details of attendance are therefore not available, and would incur disproportionate cost to compile.

Guantanamo Bay

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the US administration on the timescale for the construction of court rooms at Guantanamo Bay.

Denis MacShane: None.
	We continue, however, to press the US to resolve the position of the detainees.

Guantanamo Bay

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on proposals to construct an execution chamber at Guantanamo Bay.

Denis MacShane: We are not aware of a US decision to construct such facilities.
	The US is aware of the UK's fundamental opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.

Guantanamo Bay

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the US administration on the future of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the Statement given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Chris Mullin) on 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 751.
	We continue to press the US to resolve the position of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay.

Guantanamo Bay

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the US to set a date for bringing to trial the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the Statement given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Chris Mullin) on 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 751.

Guantanamo Bay

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on (a) the total number of UK citizens who are prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, (b) their country of origin, (c) how many have been returned to their country of origin and (d) what their ages are.

Denis MacShane: The British Government are not party to this information as a matter of course.
	I understand, however, that there are approximately 680 detainees of 42 nationalities in Guantanamo Bay of which 3 are under 16. 9 of the detainees are British. I also understand that 41 detainees have been released by the US Government.

Guantanamo Bay

Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from human rights organisations on the treatment of detainees who are UK citizens at Guantanamo Bay.

Denis MacShane: There is regular contact between the FCO and human rights NGOs, including on the question of the detainees in Guantanamo Bay.

Parliamentary Questions

George Stevenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South tabled on 18 June.

Bill Rammell: My hon. Friend received an answer to his question on 10 July. I apologise for the delay.

Piracy

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many recorded incidents there were of piracy and armed robbery on the seas around the British Isles during the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	There has been no recorded incidents of piracy or armed robbery on the seas around the British Isles in the last five years. The United Kingdom Government have taken positive steps to identify and deal with the problem of piracy against ships at sea. This includes readily available guidance to UK seafarers and ship owners on how to avoid or deal with acts of piracy.

Qatar

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when since 1 January 1999 Ministers in his Department have held meetings with the Government of Qatar; which Ministers in his Department attended each of these meetings; and where each of these meetings was held.

Bill Rammell: FCO Ministers frequently meet members of the Qatari Government. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last met the Foreign Minister of Qatar on 14 April in Doha.

Syria/Iran

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to (a) Syria and (b) Iran on the fate of missing Israeli service personnel; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We condemn hostage taking under any circumstances and have made a number of representations to governments in the Middle East about the missing Israeli servicemen. On each occasion we emphasise that hostage taking is wrong and that those holding hostages should free them at once. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last raised the matter with Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi on 6 February 2003 and my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Mike O'Brien) raised it with Syrian Foreign Minister Shara'a during President Al-Assad's visit to the UK on 16 and 17 December 2002. We have also raised the issue with Hizbollah.

United States

Nick Hawkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the US Administration for the UK to benefit from the US Visa Waiver Scheme.

Mike O'Brien: The United Kingdom is already one of 27 countries whose nationals benefit from the US Visa Waiver Programme when travelling to the US on a full British passport for a visit of less than 90 days. Officials are in discussions with their US counterparts to ensure that the maximum number of UK nationals will continue to benefit from the programme following the introduction of tighter US entry requirements over the next couple of years.

Western Sahara

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the dissolution of the Sahara Section of the Forum for Truth and Justice as a result of a judgment by the Laayoune Court of First Instance; and how many members of the Sahara Section of the Forum for Truth and Justice are in prison.

Bill Rammell: Officials are in contact with a number of different organisations in Morocco and in Western Sahara, including the Forum for Truth and Justice. We were aware that the court in Laayoune had recently formally dissolved the Forum's section in Western Sahara. However, the Forum's section in Western Sahara had been inoperative and effectively without a membership for over a year.
	Some former members of the Forum continue to monitor the situation in Western Sahara and to undertake case work.
	As the British Government would never have had access to the Forum's membership record and effectively the Western Sahara section of the Forum no longer exists we are therefore unable to comment on the number of former members of the Forum, their current locations or activities. We are aware of specific cases involving individuals previously associated with the dissolved section, for example, Ali Salem Tamek whose case officials have raised with the Moroccan authorities.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Pre-legislative Scrutiny

Graham Allen: To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee when hon. Members will be able to view pre-legislative scrutiny proceedings on-line in their offices; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Fabricant: Following a successful pilot project, a webcasting service will be established on a permanent basis later this year and will be accessed through the www.parliamentlive.tv website. Links will be provided from the webcasts to details of witnesses and other background material. The service will provide coverage of both Chambers, sittings in Westminster Hall, and some Select and Standing Committees. Audio and video coverage will be available for any committees that are televised. Audio-only coverage will be provided for most other committees. Therefore, if a committee chooses to carry out pre-legislative scrutiny, or if a special committee is appointed for that purpose, it is likely that its proceedings will be webcast either in audio-only or both in audio and video.
	Any material webcast will be available on demand from an archive that will hold about 14 days' worth of material. There are plans to make the webcasting service available to all users of the parliamentary network, but this is dependent on an upgrade to the network that is planned for this summer, which will provide greater transmission capacity.

SCOTLAND

Energy Efficiency

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the target is for efficiency savings in 2003–04 expressed (a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of the Department's expenditure limit.

Anne McGuire: The Department does not set separate energy efficiency targets, but seeks to operate within the Government's environment and climate change commitments.

Energy Efficiency

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement, in relation to his Department and each Agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible, on (a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency measures, (c) the amount saved through energy efficiency measures and (d) energy policy in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999.
	Information in the form requested is not available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Scotland Office does not set separate energy efficiency targets, but it seeks to operate within the Government's environment and climate change commitments.

Hepatitis C (Compensation)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish Health Minister to discuss compensation for hepatitis C sufferers in Scotland.

Anne McGuire: My right hon. Friend and I have frequent discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers on a wide range of issues.

Pay Audits

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made on completing a pay audit in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies to measure any disadvantage in terms of remuneration for (a) women, (b) ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities; and if he will publish the results of such an audit.

Anne McGuire: The Scottish Executive completed an equal pay review, that included staff of the Scotland Office, at the end of April 2003. The initial review considered gender. Race and disability will be considered at a later stage, programmed for completion by the end of April 2004.
	A summary of the main findings of the review and what measures will be taken to ensure the pay system is free from bias will be issued to staff shortly.

Sickness Absence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years.

Anne McGuire: One.

Sponsorship

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which of his Department's projects have received sponsorship in the last financial year; who the sponsor was in each case; what the nature of each project was; what time-period was covered by each project; what the total cost of each project was; how much money was involved in each sponsorship deal; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: None.

Supreme Court

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet (a) Scottish Law Lords, (b) the judiciary in Scotland, (c) the Law Society of Scotland and (d) the Faculty of Advocates to discuss the proposals for a Supreme Court.

Alistair Darling: The Government will fully consult these bodies and other interests in Scotland on their proposals for a Supreme Court. My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has already had helpful and constructive meetings with the Lord Advocate to discuss the interests of the Scottish Executive and with the two Scottish Law Lords.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Drug Testing and Treatment Orders

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve joint working between the police, the criminal justice system and the NHS on the implementation of Drug Testing and Treatment Orders.

Caroline Flint: The successful delivery of the Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) involves the Probation Service, treatment providers, the courts and the police, working effectively in partnership together.
	In April 2002, over 97 per cent. of all Drug Advisory Teams (DATs) had a joint commissioning group in place, ensuring that best practice is followed in developing and providing appropriate treatment.
	An increase of nearly 10 per cent. on the previous year. Last year 6,140 DTTOs were made, exceeding the Government's target of 6,000 Orders demonstrating that current partnership arrangements are working.

Metropolitan Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received about the pay and conditions of the Metropolitan police.

Hazel Blears: We have received representations from hon. Members, members of the public and others about the pay and conditions of the Metropolitan police. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary meets regularly with the Commissioner and the Chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, at which a range of issues are discussed, including pay and conditions.

Asylum Seekers

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the two-year probationary period to qualify for indefinite leave to remain will come into force.

Beverley Hughes: The two-year probationary period on marriage was introduced as one of a number of changes made to the Immigration Rules on 1 April 2003.
	The changes were part of a package of measures to tackle the growing menace of fraudulent or abusive marriages to circumvent immigration control. Other changes were:
	introducing a 'no switching' into marriage provision after entry to the United Kingdom for those coming for a short period of six months or less;
	removing the probationary period where a marriage or relationship has existed for more than four years and the couple have been living abroad;
	preventing someone from acting as a sponsor in a marriage or fiancé application until they are 18 years of age; and
	preventing fiancé(e)s under the age of 16 from applying for leave to enter; and removing the 'legally unable to marry requirement' for those seeking to enter or remain as an unmarried partner.

Asylum Seekers

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for asylum were granted permission to work in 2002.

Beverley Hughes: I am afraid that the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files. The employment concession for asylum seekers was abolished on 23 July 2002. Prior to its abolition asylum seekers could seek permission to work if their application for asylum remained outstanding for longer than six months without a decision being made on it.

Asylum Seekers

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been refused support by the National Asylum Support Service under sections 55 or 57 of the Nationality Asylum and Immigration Act 2002 (a) in total and (b) in each month since January.

Beverley Hughes: The information is not available in the form requested.
	Section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 came into force on 8 January 2003, restricting the availability of National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support to those asylum seekers who make an asylum application as
	soon as reasonably practical.
	Of the total (4,365) cases referred to NASS for a Section 55 decision in the first quarter of 2003:
	2,850 were refused NASS support on the grounds that their claims were not made as soon as reasonably practicable.
	325 were granted MASS support on the grounds that they were made as soon as reasonably practical.
	685 were exempted from consideration under Section 55 on the grounds of being a family application.
	505 were exempted from consideration under Section 55 to avoid a breach of ECHR rights.
	Following the decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal, a number of decisions made early in the quarter are now being reviewed to ensure compliance with the current decision making process.
	Information on Section 57 cases is not available.

Asylum Seekers

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of asylum seekers living below poverty levels.

Beverley Hughes: We are committed to meeting our international obligations with regard to asylum seekers. This includes providing support to eligible asylum seekers and their dependants who would otherwise be destitute. Levels of support are approved by Parliament.

Asylum Seekers

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions an asylum seeker might continue to receive benefits after his or her case has been refused; which benefits are available; and how many such cases arose in each of the last five years.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 11 July 2003
	For single asylum seekers and childless couples the legislation allows for support to be provided to asylum seekers until a final decision is made on their claim and, in the case of unsuccessful applicants, for 21 days after the receipt of the final decision on the claim. In the case of families including children under the age of 18, support is provided unless and until the family fails to comply with removal directions or until the youngest child reaches 18.
	In the majority of cases there is nothing to prevent the failed asylum seeker from leaving the country once their asylum claim has been finally determined. Letters sent at this stage to failed asylum seekers provide details of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), who will assist the person to make a voluntary return, and also the Immigration Service who will arrange for them to return to their home country.
	Failed asylum seekers may be provided with accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (the 1999 Act). As a matter of policy accommodation is only provided to those unable to leave immediately through no fault of their own e.g. because they are suffering from a temporary physical incapacity or need a travel document to enable them to go. Accommodation provided is full board and will usually be outside London. The legislation does not allow for payment of cash support.
	Section 4 of the 1999 Act came into force on 11 November 1999. There are no published statistics on the number of failed asylum seekers who have been provided with accommodation under section 4. This information could only be obtained by examination of individual case records.

Asylum Seekers

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support he is giving to asylum seekers in Glasgow.

Beverley Hughes: The support available to asylum seekers is consistent across the United Kingdom. Eligible asylum seekers and their dependants may be provided with support if they would otherwise be destitute. The provision of support may be subject to conditions. Generally speaking, support is provided until a final decision is made on the claim, but can be terminated early if the asylum seeker fails to comply with the conditions on which support is offered.

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

Beverley Hughes: Section 55, which came into operation on 8 January 2003, is one of a package of new measures to move towards a more streamlined and cohesive asylum system. Statistics on the operation of section 55 up to 31 March 2003 were published at the end of May 2003, and we are continuing to monitor the impact closely.

Child Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with promoting (a) Child Rescue Alert and (b) the Safety House project as national child protection schemes.

Paul Goggins: A Child Rescue Alert scheme completed its pilot in Sussex at the end of May 2003. Its purpose is to find children who have been abducted. The Homicide Working Group of the Association of Chief Police Officers has recommended that the scheme be implemented under nationally agreed standards.Sussex police are currently waiting for the British Safety House Association to provide more details about the Safety House project, before they give further consideration for this development.

Child Protection

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will introduce new laws to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children within the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act introduced a new criminal offence of trafficking for control over prostitution with a maximum penalty of 14 years.
	The new Sexual Offences Bill also introduces a new offence of commercial sexual exploitation of a child, which will protect children up to 18, covering a range of offences, including buying the sexual services of a child, and causing, facilitating or controlling the commercial sexual exploitation of a child in prostitution or pornography.

Prisons

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in dealing with prison overcrowding.

Paul Goggins: Where imprisonment is the most appropriate punishment, it should be used. An additional 4,500 prison places will be provided over the next three years. Other reforms include the use of Home Detention Curfew; this will help create a more appropriate balance between the use of custody and community supervision.

Passports

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to reduce passport fraud.

Beverley Hughes: As indicated in its 2003–08 Corporate and Business Plan, the UK Passport Service is taking forward a range of initiatives to reduce passport fraud through improved fraud detection and prevention. These include:
	establishing from December this year a new more comprehensive database for the recording and dissemination of lost, stolen and recovered passport information;
	exploring the benefits of using private sector and other Government databases in establishing identity;
	introducing secure delivery for the despatch of all passports;
	increasing the professionalism of its fraud investigation capability through the creation of fraud and intelligence units in each of its offices, and strengthening training and support for these units;
	developing its IT systems to undertake more automatic checks, to better link passport records to an individual, and to identify passport fraud;
	investigating the use of biometrics to improve the security of the passport book;
	changing the law to make passport fraud offences arrestable, and by creating a new offence relating to being in possession or control of false identity documents, without reasonable cause; and
	actively working with law enforcement agencies to apprehend, disrupt and dismantle the activities of those involved in passport fraud.
	These initiatives build on the successful implementation of a number of anti-fraud measures, including the prevention of fraudulent applications using the identity of dead children, and strengthening of the counter-signatory requirement for passport applications.

Illegal Immigration (France)

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has agreed with the French Government to ensure that illegal immigration from the Calais area is not displaced to other routes.

Beverley Hughes: We have agreed with the French to establish juxtaposed controls at Dunkirk and Boulogne as well as Calais. This will help counter immediate displacement from the Calais area by those seeking to use documents to board ferries. In addition those hiding in freight traffic bound for the United Kingdom are being targeted by the use of UK personnel detection technology loaned to French ports. Calais already has the capability to screen 100 per cent. of freight and screening will be introduced at Dunkirk and Cherbourg.
	We continue to meet regularly with the French to discuss how these projects and others relating to increased cross channel border security can best be taken forward. We are also in the process of providing new detection technology to Belgian ports.

Crime Fighting Fund

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the effectiveness of the Crime Fighting Fund.

Hazel Blears: None. The Crime Fighting Fund has proved extremely effective in helping to deliver record numbers of police officers. By September 2002 the police service had 131,548 officers in England and Wales.

Anti-Drugs Projects

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) of 30 June, Official Report, column 11W, on drugs, if he will list the anti-drugs projects funded from recovered assets, and the amount of money awarded in each case.

Caroline Flint: In 2002–03 16 anti-drugs projects were awarded funding for 1–3 years from recovered assets at a total cost of £6.5 million. The projects were:
	Rehabilitation/Treatment
	South Buckinghamshire Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (Slough)—"Criminal Justice Treatment Project"—to set up a drug treatment clinic with a doctor, nurse and counsellor—£220,000
	Community Focus (Hull)—"User Involvement Project—to involve drug misusers in identifying and reviewing service provision—£99,400
	West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (Swansea)—"Community Outreach Drug Prevention Initiative"—to provide equipment and advice to heroin addicts and get new people into treatment—£136,718
	No Limits (Southampton)—"Young People's Substance Misuse Project"—to provide advice and counselling on drugs issues—£219,472
	Brigend County Borough Council—"Brigend Rapid Access Points"—to offer a rapid appointment for assessment and access to treatment for drugs misusers—£462,500
	Gwellheans Recovery (Cornwall)—"Caseworker"—to focus on relapse prevention and positive re-integration back into the community—£66,671
	North East Council on Addictions (Newcastle)—"The Integrated Treatment/Outreach Programme"—to provide a range of services to prolific substance misusers—£189,612
	Reading Drugs Action Team—"Oxford Road Drugs and Street crime Initiative"—Full-time worker to provide advice and support to homeless drugs misusers—£155,000
	Diversionary Activities for Young People
	Southern Focus Trust (Portsmouth)—"Havant Young People's Access"—a drop-in facility to divert young people from drugs and crime—£276,659
	Corby Borough Council—"Project Diversion"—working with disengaged or at risk young people £37,000
	Torfaen County Borough Council (Pontypool)—"Musical Youth"—to engage young people through the medium of music—£82,627 Pro-active Drugs related Projects
	Lancashire Constabulary—"Drugsline"—Confidential telephone line for the public to contact the police with drug related information—£47,685
	Drugscope (London)—"Drug Education for Hard to reach Parents"—to provide information and education about drugs issues—£81,334
	Surrey Drug Action Team—"Confidential no-fault Inquiries into Drug Deaths in Surrey"—£10,000
	Clouds (Wiltshire)—"Interventions towards the Significant Other"—to provide support for carers of substance misusers—£253,699
	Merseyside Police —"Middle Market Drugs Investigation"—to disrupt Class A drug trafficking—£4,236,379

Asylum Applications

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many decisions were made on asylum applications in each year from 1997–2002; and what percentage were granted asylum, including those granted on appeal;
	(2)  how many applicants for asylum were granted exceptional leave to remain in each year from 1997–2002; and what percentage this was of the total number of applications.

Beverley Hughes: Following changes to policy in relation to granting of exceptional leave to remain (ELR) in the second half of 2002, the proportion granted ELR fell in Q3 2002 and in Q4 2002.
	The available information is provided in the tables. This shows that the initial decision figures for any given year do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same year. Similarly, appeal outcomes for any given year do not necessarily relate to initial decisions in the same year.
	It is estimated that (up to and including appeals at the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) 19 per cent. of applications made in 2000 and in 2001 resulted in grants of asylum. The corresponding figures for grants of ELR for applications made in 2000 and in 2001 were 14 per cent. and 23 per cent. respectively.
	Precise information on the number of appeals that result in a grant of asylum or ELR could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case records.
	
		Table 1: Initial asylum decisions in the United Kingdom(5),(6), 1997 to 2002 -- Number of principal applicants
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(7) 2002(7) 
		
		
			  
			  
			 Total initial decisions(8) 36,045 31,570 33,720 109,205 119,015 82,715 
			  
			 Cases considered under normal procedures5 
			 Total 36,045 31,570 21,305 97,545 119,015 82,715 
			 Granted asylum 3,985 5,345 7,815 10,375 11,180 8,100 
			 Granted asylum (percentage) 11 17 37 11 9 10 
			 Granted ELR 3,115 3,910 2,465 11,495 19,845 19,965 
			 Granted ELR (percentage) 9 12 12 12 17 24 
			 Refused 28,945 22,315 11,925 75,680 87,990 54,650 
			 Refused (Percentage) 80 71 52 78 74 66 
			  
			 Backlog clearance exercise6 
			 Total — — 12,415 11,660 — — 
			 Granted asylum or ELR under backlog criteria — — 11,140 10,325 — — 
			 Granted asylum or ELR under backlog criteria (percentage) — — 90 89 — — 
			 Refused under backlog criteria(11) — — 1,275 1,3365 — — 
			 Refused under backlog criteria(11) (percentage) — — 10 11 — — 
		
	
	(5) Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest five.
	(6) Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period.
	(7) Figures for 2001 and 2002 are provisional and subject to change.
	(8) Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(9) Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.
	(10) Cases decided under measures aimed at reducing the pre 1996 asylum application backlog.
	(11) Includes some cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.
	
		Table 2: Outcome of asylum appeals determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, 1997–2002(12),(13) -- Number of principal appellants
		
			  Total determined Allowed (percentage) Dismissed (percentage) Withdrawn (percentage) 
		
		
			 1997 21,090 6 86 8 
			 1998 25,320 9 84 7 
			 1999 19,460 27 57 16 
			 2000 19,395 17 80 2 
			 2001(14) 43,415 19 79 2 
			 2002(14) 64,405 22 76 3 
		
	
	(12) Figures (other than percentages) rounded to the nearest five.
	(13) Appeals figures do not necessarily relate to initial decisions made in the same period.
	(14) Figures for 2002 are provisional and subject to change.

Domestic Violence

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on tackling domestic violence.

David Blunkett: Domestic violence is a serious and appalling crime. It represents around a quarter of violent crime. Every week, two women die as a result of such violence.
	On 18 June we published "Safety and Justice", a consultation paper outlining proposals to help prevent and tackle the consequences of domestic violence. We want to prevent domestic violence occurring in the first place and to intervene early where it does occur. We want to protect victims and bring offenders to justice, and we want to support victims and their children in re-building their lives.
	We want this consultation to be as wide as possible because it is important that we get it right.

Human Trafficking

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of human trafficking for sexual purposes, have been discovered in each of the last three years; from which countries the persons arrived; and how many successful prosecutions have resulted.

Beverley Hughes: There is currently no accurate, reliable data in existence within the United Kingdom or the European Union. A Home Office research study 'Stopping Traffic' (Police Research Series 125, published in 2000) indicated that there was intelligence to suggest that some women and children are trafficked into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation. This was estimated at between 140 and 1,400 per year but it was impossible to make a more accurate assessment of numbers. The report concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that this was on a large scale compared with other European countries.
	The Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Act 2002 created a new offence of trafficking for the purpose of controlling someone through prostitution, the relevant sections of which came into force on 10 February 2003. Given that the powers came into effect very recently there is not any information yet held centrally about numbers of victims of this crime. Forming an accurate estimate of the levels of trafficking in people is problematic given the reluctance of the victims of trafficking to report to the police.
	The current pilot project for victims of trafficking will provide us with a clearer idea on scale of trafficking problem and enable better assessment to be made of the needs of victims.

Human Trafficking

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedure is followed upon the discovery of individuals trafficked into the UK for sexual purposes; what factors underlie decisions to return them to their home country; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The White Paper "Secure Borders Safe Haven", published last year, set out a comprehensive approach for supporting the victims of trafficking. It included a commitment to make arrangements for victim protection and support.
	In March this year we established a pilot scheme, working with Eaves Housing, a voluntary sector organisation, to provide support and assistance to victims of trafficking to enable them to make an informed decision about co-operating with the authorities. The pilot scheme will initially run on a trial basis for a period of six months so that we can evaluate its impact.
	Under the terms of the scheme victims are referred to Eaves housing by the police, via a voluntary organisation or self-referred. There is an assessment made of their needs and they get information about the consequences of co-operating with a prosecution. Their immigration status is considered, and it is recognised that if they co-operate with the authorities then it may be appropriate to allow them to remain in the United Kingdom. This assessment is made on a case by case basis. If they decide to return home, arrangements are made through the International Organisation for Migration, which has a well established voluntary assisted return programme, to assist the woman to reintegrate back into her home society.

Human Trafficking

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into the extent of the trafficking of individuals for sexual purposes into the UK; and what discussions he has had with European colleagues on the issue.

Beverley Hughes: Forming an accurate estimate of the levels of trafficking in people is problematic given the reluctance of the victims of trafficking to report to the police. There is currently no accurate, reliable data in existence within the United Kingdom or the European Union. A Home Office research study 'Stopping Traffic' (Police Research Series 125, published in 2000) indicated that there was intelligence to suggest that some women and children are trafficked into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation. This was estimated at between 140 and 1,400 per year but it was impossible to make a more accurate assessment of numbers. The report concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that this was on a large scale compared with other European countries.
	The Government have announced their intention to tackle the heinous crime of trafficking through a four-pronged approach set out in the White Paper 'Secure Borders Safe Haven' published last year. This approach encompasses legislation, enforcement, victim support and international co-operation. In the context of this last point, the UK has been working hard to push trafficking up the international agenda. We were at the forefront of work to draft the United Nations trafficking protocol and subsequent EU framework decision on trafficking. We have been closely involved in Europol's work to counter trafficking including establishing a joint intelligence sharing team with Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands on Bulgarian trafficking gangs. The UK also hosted the first EU prosecutors conference on trafficking last year and are closely involved in follow up work. We are also actively shaping EU consideration of next steps on trafficking through the formation of a new experts group on trafficking that the UK is helping to steer towards tangible action to tackle this form of organised crime.

Immigration Accommodation Centres

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the criteria were upon which sites selected for consideration as possible locations for accommodation centres for immigrants seeking political asylum were rejected.

Beverley Hughes: All prospective sites for accommodation centres are evaluated against a set of criteria including size, configuration, location, technical characteristics and planning considerations. A large number of sites have been rejected following evaluation against these criteria. A smaller number of sites were included on the shortlist, having met these criteria, but were subsequently rejected for site-specific reasons.

Immigration Accommodation Centres

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the criteria were upon which the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent was selected for consideration as a location for a possible accommodation centre for young male immigrants seeking political asylum.

Beverley Hughes: The site at HMS Daedalus was selected for further assessment because it met both the general criteria for site selection and the requirements of the alternative model. Our detailed assessment of the site continues.

Immigration Accommodation Centres

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the expected costs of creating accommodation centres for immigrants seeking political asylum, distinguishing between (a) capital costs of construction and (b) annual total running costs.

Beverley Hughes: We are in the process of running a competitive tender for the delivery of accommodation centres. Information about costs is commercially confidential.

Immigration Accommodation Centres

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on local facilities at Lee-on-the-Solent resulting from the possible introduction of young male immigrants at an accommodation centre.

Beverley Hughes: We are talking to local authorities and service providers in the area as part of our assessment of the site. Our aim is to minimise the impact on local services by providing as many as possible of the necessary services on-site.

Immigration Accommodation Centres

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis the Department made the statement that the introduction of an accommodation centre for immigrants in a locality would have no impact on house prices.

Beverley Hughes: The Home Office position is that there are many factors that may impact on property prices, both short and long term. We do not accept that the presence of an accommodation centre in a locality would necessarily depress house prices.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces Pensions

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from members of the armed forces who believe that they have been encouraged to leave the Service before they have completed enough years to qualify for a pension; and what action he will take to investigate the complaints.

Ivor Caplin: Central records of applications for Redress of Complaint have been maintained only since 1997. Since then there have been two applications relating to the manning control policy, which were resolved before submission to the Army Board. In these cases, manning control action was terminated and the individuals concerned continue to serve on their original engagement.
	The Manning Control Points have never been used as a way of avoiding pension commitments.

Iraq

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made in respect of partners and orphans of Service men and women killed in action in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence gave on 1 May 2003, Official Report, columns 452–53W to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera Baird).

MOD Police (School Anti-drugs Projects)

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Ministry of Defence Police's support for DARE anti-drug projects in schools.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence Police continue to provide support for the Drugs Awareness Resistance Education projects at schools attended by the dependants of Service personnel and at some locations utilised by United States visiting forces.

Parliamentary Questions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the hon. Member for Fareham will receive an answer to questions 117883 and 117884, tabled for answer on 5 June 2003 and questions 118799, 118800, 118801 and 118802, tabled on 9 June 2003.

Ivor Caplin: The information requested is not held centrally and needs to be collated from a number of sources. This is still being worked on.
	I expect to reply to the hon. Member before the summer recess.

Pay 2000 Computer System

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the effectiveness and performance of the PAY 2000 computer system.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 12 June 2003
	The Pay 2000 computer system has generally performed well for both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Some programming problems have been identified affecting some Army personnel, which are being addressed with a package of work entitled "Pay 2000 Follow on Work". In the meantime, Regimental Administrative Officers at all army units have the facility to arrange manual payment in any cases where problems are found.

Queen's Birthday Flypast

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what height RAF aircraft flew over the coast of Suffolk on 10 June 2003 in practising for the Queen's Birthday flypast; and at what distance they flew from the Sizewell nuclear power station.

Ivor Caplin: The aircraft flew between 2,300 and 3,000 feet above mean sea level. It is not possible to determine the precise distance that aircraft flew from the Sizewell nuclear power station but I am able to confirm that no aircraft breached the restricted area around the power station, which is a zone extending to a height of 2,000 feet high by a radius of two nautical miles

Royal Irish Regiment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the delay experienced by members of the home battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment in receiving their annual bounty; and when the annual bounty will be paid.

Ivor Caplin: Some part-time members of the Royal Irish Regiment have experienced a delay in receiving their annual bounty for the training year 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003. In some instances this was due to a computer programming error that has now been rectified.
	Out of a total strength of some 1,300 part-time personnel, only a handful of bounties remain unpaid. For those that remain outstanding, payment has, in some instances, been delayed due to the soldiers training year being extended, or as a consequence of processing delays due to soldiers leaving the Regiment.

Service Accommodation (Colchester)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether the terms of the sale to Annington Homes of Ministry of Defence dwellings at Colchester Garrison provide for their re-purchase if required by his Department;
	(2)  if he will re-purchase the remaining stock of former Ministry of Defence dwellings at Colchester Garrison, occupied by military personnel, which were sold to Annington Homes.

Ivor Caplin: The 1996 sale to Annington Homes Ltd. of Service families accommodation in England and Wales was on the basis of a 999 year lease. The Ministry of Defence immediately leased back some 55,000 houses, initially for 200 years.
	There is no provision in the sale agreement for MOD to re-purchase any of the properties subject to these arrangements.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Arson

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of all fires were started deliberately in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		Malicious primary fires as a proportion of all primary fires, United Kingdom, 1997–2001
		
			  All primary fires Malicious 
			   Percentage Number 
		
		
			 1997 200,564 41 82,613 
			 1998 199,928 43 86,208 
			 1999 218,404 47 103,006 
			 2000 219,663 51 111,174 
			 2001 228,229 54 123,184 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Malicious fires are those where deliberate ignition is proved or suspected.
	2. Primary fires are those which cause damage to property or involve casualties.
	3. Data for 2001 are provisional and the most recent year for which data are available.

Arson

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of fires in the construction industry were attributed to arson in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		Malicious primary fires as a proportion of all primary fires on construction industry premises, United Kingdom, 1997–2001
		
			  All primary fires Malicious 
			   Percentage Number 
		
		
			 1997 459 57 261 
			 1998 393 64 253 
			 1999 386 57 222 
			 2000 488 70 341 
			 2001 372 73 270 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Malicious fires are those where deliberate ignition is proved or suspected.
	2. Primary fires are those which cause damage to property or involve casualties.
	3. Data for 2001 are provisional and the most recent year for which data are available.

Arson

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much arson has cost retailers in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: Information is available only for total commercial fires which includes fires in retail and non-retail premises. Information is available only for 1999 and 2000; that for 2001 will be published in due course.
	In England and Wales, the estimated cost of arson to the commercial sector, as measured by damage to property and loss of business, was £220 million in 1999 and £190 million in 2000.

Council Tax (South-West)

Andrew George: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much council tax was collected in each of the last three years in the south-west of England.

Phil Hope: Tabled are the figures showing how much council tax was collected in each of the last three financial years in the south-west of England.
	
		Total receipts of council tax
		
			  £ billion 
			  South-west 
		
		
			 2000–01 1.312 
			 2001–02 1.406 
			 2002–03 1.576

Ethical Procurement

Linda Perham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance he has given to local authorities on ethical procurement.

Keith Hill: Local authorities are independent and autonomous and responsible within the law for making their own decisions on procurement matters. In doing so, they will no doubt consider the case for ethical procurement on its merits, consistent with the EU Procurement Directives, domestic law including the duty of best value. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister set out views on the use of social clauses in contracting in Annex C of Circular 03/2003, "Local Government Act 1999: Part 1—Best Value and Performance Improvement".

Fire Service

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce regulations to replace the current Fire Service (a) appointment and promotion regulations and (b) discipline regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The White Paper, "Our Fire and Rescue Service", presented to Parliament by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 30 June 2003, announced that the Fire Services (Appointments and Promotion Regulations) 1978 would be amended to allow multi-level entry to the fire and rescue service and to support development and promotion opportunities for all fire and rescue service staff through the implementation of the Integrated Personal Development System. It also announced that the Fire Services (Discipline) Regulations 1985 would be repealed and replaced with framework regulations based on the most up to date ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) best practice guidance.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to be able to announce the changes to be made to the appointments and promotion regulations by the end of October this year. The final content and promulgation of the regulations will, of course, be subject to parliamentary approval. The replacement of the discipline regulations is expected to be subject to the same timetable.

Fires

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average cost of a domestic fire was in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: Information on the cost of a domestic fire is not available before 1999. The estimated average cost of a domestic fire in 1999 was £21,500 and in 2000 it was £24,700. Some of the difference between these figures is due to changes in the way that costs are calculated: using the 1999 methodology, the estimated cost of a domestic fire in 2000 is £23,800.
	2000 is the last year for which figures are available; those for 2001 will be published in due course.

Fires

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people have died as a result of malicious car fires in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: The information requested is tabled. 2001 is the most recent year for which data are available.
	
		Fatalities from malicious car fires, United Kingdom, 1997–2001
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 20 
			 1998 19 
			 1999 19 
			 2000 21 
			 2001(15) 12 
		
	
	(15) Figures for 2001 are provisional.

Fires

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of accidental car fires were caused by an electrical fault in the last year for which figures are available.

Phil Hope: In 2001, of 18,135 accidental car fires in the United Kingdom, 47 per cent. (8,494 fires) were caused by an electrical fault, related either to the wiring on the car or its batteries (7,540 fires) or due to the ignition system (954 fires).

Funding Schemes

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the (a) business and commercial property gap funding scheme, (b) housing gap funding scheme, (c) heritage approval scheme and (d) land remediation scheme were finalised; when he expects guidance to prospective applicants to be published in respect of each of the above schemes.

Keith Hill: The UK Government notified the European Commission of their proposals to use public sector funds to assist regeneration in order to comply with the state aid rules. The notifications were approved on the following dates:
	(a) business and commercial property gap funding—24 May 2002;
	(b) housing gap funding—8 July 2002;
	(c) heritage aid—13 May 2002; and
	(d) land remediation ('dereliction aid')—11 June 2003.
	It is for the regeneration bodies; English Partnerships, Regional Development Agencies (including the London Development Agency) and local authorities to decide whether and for what purpose they use the approvals in their areas. Except in the case of the housing approval, where English Partnerships has developed a standard appraisal process, they are responsible for any application forms and guidelines to developers.

Housing

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government took water requirements into account when proposing their new house-building programme.

Phil Hope: Discussions were held with water companies by the consultants who undertook the growth area studies published last year. More detailed local studies are now under way in most areas, which will help in more detailed assessment of infrastructure requirements. Further discussions with the water industry have taken place since publication of the Sustainable Communities Plan and these will continue involving the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Water UK, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the individual water companies concerned, the Environment Agency and OFWAT.

Housing

Paul Marsden: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many social houses are being built this year in each local authority; and how many families are on the housing waiting list in each local authority.

Keith Hill: Estimates of the number of social dwellings (for rent by registered social landlords and local authorities) built are based on local authority P2 housing returns to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and National House Building Council (NHBC) data.
	Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing register (excluding tenants awaiting a transfer) as at 1 April in their Annual Housing Investment Programme returns.
	The latest available annual data from these two sources are available in the Library of the House.

Housing Gap Funding Scheme

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many grants have been made in respect of the housing gap funding scheme; what their total value is; to whom they have been made, and in respect of what total area of land; and what proportion of the land was previously undeveloped.

Keith Hill: English Partnerships, in consultation with the Regional Development Agencies (including the London Development Agency), are currently drawing up an appraisal guide for the implementation of the housing gap funding scheme. It is expected that this guidance will be released for final public consultation in due course.

Local Government Finance

Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the total net yield from council tax, after council tax benefit and single person's discounts, for (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland in each year from 1997–98 to 2003–04.

Phil Hope: Tabled are the figures showing the estimated council tax receipts collected in England in each financial year from 1997/98 to 2002/03. The receipt information is the best estimate of council tax yield collected after council tax benefit and all discounts have been taken into account. The information shows the total amounts collected within each financial year irrespective of the financial year that the receipt relates to.
	
		Total council tax receipts net of benefits and discounts
		
			  £ billion 
		
		
			 1997–98 9.5 
			 1998–99 10.5 
			 1999–2000 11.3 
			 2000–01 12.2 
			 2001–02 13.2 
			 2002–03 14.5 
		
	
	Source:
	QRC4
	Figures for Wales and Scotland are a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government and Scottish Parliament respectively.

Planning Appeals

Mike Wood: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce an easier and more affordable way for people to appeal against decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate.

Keith Hill: None.

Regional Assemblies

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 619W, on regional assemblies, if he will list the opinion polls which were included in his calculation; and if he will place copies of the results in the Library.

Nick Raynsford: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister considered the findings of 28 opinion polls that provided supporting evidence on the question of the percentage of people in favour of holding a referendum. Information about these polls is laid out in paragraphs 44 to 59 of the "Your Region, Your Say" document that summarises the information, evidence and views that he considered before deciding to direct the Boundary Committee for England to carry out local government reviews in the three northern regions. Copies of "Your Region, Your Say" and the opinion polls were placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 16 June 2003.

Thames Gateway

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Cabinet Committee Misc22's report on the funding of the Thames Gateway project will be published.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is hoping to make an announcement shortly on taking forward the Thames Gateway.

Thames Gateway

David Davis: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much funding each Thames Gateway project will receive as part of the funding announced in the Communities Plan.

Keith Hill: Earlier this year, as part of the comprehensive programme to take forward the Communities Plan, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced investment of £446 million for the Thames Gateway. Proposals have been brought forward by the three Sub-regional Thames Gateway Partnerships. These are currently being considered.

Warden Schemes

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what alternative funding mechanisms are in place to assist local authorities to retain street and neighbourhood warden schemes following the withdrawal of Government funding.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is keen that all funded schemes continue. However, Government funding for warden schemes was awarded on a short-term basis, and it was clear from the start that this financial support would only be for a limited period. Additionally, local authorities have requested that we reduce area-based initiatives, in order that they have more flexibility in how they spend their own funds. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister already has examples of local authorities and housing associations that are mainstreaming schemes.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working closely with all schemes in the development of their future sustainability plans. Events are being held and guidance has been produced for scheme managers. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is promoting the wardens approach, particularly as a key element of neighbourhood management.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Adult Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of (a) economically inactive people on (i) incapacity benefit and (ii) other disability benefits and (b) lone parents were on income support without a first Level 2 qualification in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the duration of claims by (a) economically inactive people on (i) incapacity benefit and (ii) other disability benefits and (b) lone parents on income support without a first Level 2 qualification was in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The information is not available.
	However, the Labour Force Survey shows that 69 per cent. of disabled people receiving Incapacity Benefit and 78 per cent. of lone parents receiving Income Support have qualifications below level 2.
	This is why Jobcentre Plus training is strongly focused on basic skills and more appropriately targeted training, ensuring that this is linked to the labour market rather than just a qualification. Our evidence suggests that a Level 2 qualification is not, in general, the most significant milestone in terms of employability. There is a much bigger difference in terms of employment rates between those with no qualifications and a qualification of any kind, and particularly between those with or without basic skills, than between Level 2 and lower qualifications.

Benefits Payments

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) child benefit customers, (b) veterans agency customers, (c) pensions customers and (d) Jobcentre Plus customers received their payments by means of a Post Office card account as at 27 June 2003.

Chris Pond: holding answer 11 July 2003
	The question cannot be answered in the format requested. Information available on the number of child benefit, veterans agency, pensions and Jobcentre Plus customers that have received their payments by means of a Post Office card account as at various dates in June 2003 is shown in the following table.
	The numbers are expected to grow rapidly in the coming months as 20 week order books begin to expire and customers begin to receive payment direct into their card accounts.
	
		Number of customers paid through card account
		
			 Customers Number 
		
		
			 Child benefit 508 
			 Veterans agency 109 
			 Pensions 246 
			 Jobcentre Plus 2,856

Disability Benefits

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received from disability organisations concerning the Cumulative Rule for withdrawal of disability benefits for people in hospital.

Maria Eagle: We have received no recent representations from disability organisations about the rules which treat periods of hospital in-patient treatment separated by no more than 28 days as a single period for the purpose of determining when payments of disability living allowance or attendance allowance can be made. We believe that these rules are fair and reflect that all the disability related needs of severely disabled people entitled to those benefits are met free of charge by the national health service when they are in hospital.

Ductile Iron Gas Mains

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the medium pressure ductile iron gas mains within 30 metres of buildings owned and recently discovered by Transco was replaced by 30 April 2003.

Des Browne: Transco completed the replacement of the outstanding quantity of medium pressure ductile iron mains within 30 metres of buildings by 30 April 2003 in various locations across Great Britain. Originally Transco calculated the length was 11.382 km. However, further site investigation revealed some pipe was not in fact ductile iron and the total replaced was 10.69 km.

Health and Safety

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the role competition can play in health and safety regulatory functions other than building control; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 4 July 2003
	The basic framework set out in the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, places a duty to manage and control risk on those who create it and be responsible for the protection of workers and the public from any consequence of their work activity. Enforcement by health and safety inspectors is an essential element of the basic framework, which has stood the test of time. The possibility of contracting out health and safety inspection was however, considered and rejected in the course of the 1996 quinquennial review.

Health and Safety

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2003, ref 121171, when he expects to receive the report from the Health and Safety Commission.

Des Browne: We expect to receive the report from the Health and Safety Commission by the end of the year.

Health and Safety

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the level of funding was for the Health and Safety Executive in each of the last 10 years.

Des Browne: The following table reflects the funding for the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 1993–94:
	
		Health and Safety Executive funding -- £ million
		
			  Cash budget(16) Resource budget 
		
		
			 1994–95 188.4 — 
			 1995–96 186.8 — 
			 1996–97 (17)179.5 — 
			 1997–98 174.1 — 
			 1998–99 175.7 — 
			 1999–2000 180.6 — 
			 2000–01(18) 181.3 — 
			 2001–02(19) — 199.4 
			 2002–03 — 210.4 
			 2003–04 — 225.5 
		
	
	(16) The funding has been interpreted as the total amount voted by Parliament.
	(17) On 1 April 1996 the accounting arrangements changed as the Health and Safely Laboratory was set up as a net running cost regime (separately identifiable for financial reporting purposes).
	(18) The budget for 2000–01 was the last under the cash budget system.
	(19) The increase in the funding was due to the introduction/implementation of Resource Accounting and Budgeting in Government Departments. Under RAB, all departments produce budgets and accounts on an accruals basis, which include costs for depreciation, cost of capital and provisions for liabilities. Therefore, Resource Budgets for years from 2001–02 are not directly comparable with previous cash budgets.

Hepatitis C

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met the Scottish Health Minister to discuss compensation for the hepatitis C sufferers in Scotland.

Maria Eagle: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met the Scottish Health Minister to discuss this issue. However, Ministers are in regular contact with the devolved Administrations over a wide range of issues.

Income Replacement Benefits

Angela Browning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to bring (a) disability living allowance, (b) attendance allowance and (c) carers allowance into line with income replacement benefits for people who stay in hospital.

Maria Eagle: None. We believe that the current rules are fair. The changes we have made ensure that for most people the benefits they receive for every day living are not touched while they are in hospital. This recognises that hospital in-patients are likely to have on-going costs of maintaining their homes. Disability living allowance and attendance allowance, however, help with the disability-related needs of severely disabled people. These needs are met by the national health service when the recipients are in hospital, and so payment of these benefits stops after 4 weeks. Entitlement to carer's allowance can continue throughout breaks in care for holidays or for hospitalisation of the carer or disabled person. Provided the DUVAA remains in payment, these breaks can total 12 weeks in a period of 26 weeks.

IT Specialists

Andrew Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of British IT specialists seeking employment in each year since 1999.

Des Browne: It is not possible to estimate the number of IT specialists seeking work in the economy as a whole. Jobcentre Plus does however keep records of the number of IT specialists seeking work through their offices, however this is not broken down by their nationality. The available information is in the table:
	
		Number of IT specialists seeking work
		
			 Calendar year Number seeking work that year 
		
		
			 1999 5,600 
			 2000 11,279 
			 2001 22,921 
			 2002 27,601 
			 2003(20) 6,658 
		
	
	(20) Figures are for January to May 2003 inclusive.
	Source:
	Labour Market System

Minimum Income Guarantee (Scotland)

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much money was claimed in minimum income guarantee in Scotland in 2002–03, broken down by local authority.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		
			 Local authority Expenditure (£ million) 
		
		
			 Total Scotland Government Office Region 447 
			 Aberdeen City 14 
			 Aberdeenshire 13 
			 Angus 8 
			 Argyll and Bute 9 
			 Clackmannanshire 2 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 13 
			 Dundee City 18 
			 East Ayrshire 12 
			 East Dunbartonshire 6 
			 East Lothian 7 
			 East Renfrewshire 4 
			 Edinburgh, City of 30 
			 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (previously Western Isles) 4 
			 Falkirk 11 
			 Fife 22 
			 Glasgow City 92 
			 Highland 16 
			 Inverclyde 9 
			 Midlothian 4 
			 Moray 5 
			 North Ayrshire 12 
			 North Lanarkshire 31 
			 Orkney Islands 1 
			 Perth and Kinross (previously Perthshire and Kinross) 9 
			 Renfrewshire 16 
			 Scottish Borders, The 7 
			 Shetland Islands 2 
			 South Ayrshire 9 
			 South Lanarkshire 29 
			 Stirling 6 
			 West Dunbartonshire (previously Dumbarton and Clydebank) 11 
			 West Lothian 12 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. MIG expenditure relates to program money payable to the individual and does not include the cost to DWP of administering the benefit.
	2. The Expenditure for 2002–03 reflects the latest benefit-by-benefit estimate of out turn for the year and not the amounts voted by Parliament.
	3. Amounts shown are in £ millions cash terms on a Resource Accounting and Budgeting basis and are consistent with the Budget 2003 forecasts and departmental expenditure tables.
	4. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	5. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	6. Because of relatively small sample sizes at local authority level the figures are subject to a greater margin of error than would be associated with national level expenditure estimates; all results are rounded to the nearest £1 million, but may not be accurate to this level.

New Deal

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints against providers of New Deal placements and training have been made; how many New Deal placement and training providers have had their contract cancelled owing to (a) ineffective training and (b) poor employment practices; what other action has been taken against providers of ineffective training and poor employment practices; how the training quality of New Deal placements is assessed; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The information requested regarding numbers of complaints against New Deal providers and numbers of contracts cancelled is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All New Deal providers are subject to thorough contractual and quality audits. Individual contract reviews are conducted by Jobcentre Plus contract managers and District Programme Quality Management Teams. Reviews assess the administration, delivery, quality and propriety of the provision being delivered against the requirements set out in providers' contracts. In addition, the Adult Learning Inspectorate in England, and Estyn in Wales, play a pivotal role in the quality assurance of New Deal provision, under the provisions of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. All inspection under the requirements of the Act is carried out in accordance with the Common Inspection Framework. The framework focuses on the learner, and on evaluating the effectiveness of education and training in meeting all learners' needs.
	New Deal providers who fail to meet their contractual requirements, or who fall below accepted quality levels, are subject to thorough improvement strategies and action plans agreed between them and Jobcentre Plus. Where no improvements have taken place within agreed timescales, action is taken to terminate the contract in accordance with contractual terms and conditions. When re-tendering or extending contracts, such quality issues are considered and, where relevant evidence exists, this is considered as part of the decision to award or extend. Where a serious irregularity or fraud is identified, Jobcentre Plus retains the right to terminate contracts with immediate effect.

New Deal for Young People

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding his Department and its predecessors allocated to the full-time education and training option under the New Deal for Young People in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Information on spend on the New Deal Full Time Education and Training Option is in the table:
	
		New Deal for Young People full-time education and training option spend -- £ million
		
			  Spend 
		
		
			 1997–98(21) 0 
			 1998–99 19 
			 1999–2000 36 
			 2000–01 34 
			 2001–02 23 
			 2002–03(22) 18 
		
	
	(21) Minimal spend incurred on the Full Time Education and Training Option during January-March 1998 and so is rounded to zero.
	(22) Estimated out-turn. Figures will be available when the Jobcentre Plus Annual Report is published later this year.
	Source
	Jobcentre Plus
	An allocation figure for 2003–04 is not available. The New Deal for Young People programme budget is now allocated to Jobcentre Plus Regions where decisions on how funding is spent on each New Deal Option are based on meeting the local needs of participants.

New Deal for Young People

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent each year on each of the options within the New Deal for Young People.

Des Browne: The information requested is in the table:
	
		New Deal for Young People—Spending on options -- £ million
		
			 Option 1997–98(23) 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03(24) 
		
		
			 Full-time Education and Training 0 19 36 34 23 18 
			 Voluntary Sector 0 13 38 39 36 26 
			 Environment Task Force 0 12 42 42 42 27 
			 Employment 0 19 28 18 15 16 
		
	
	(23) NDYP started in January 1998 and, as participation in the New Deal options normally commenced after a four month Gateway period, the spend on the NDYP options was very small and so is rounded to zero.
	(24) Estimated out-turn as Jobcentre Plus accounts for 2002–03 are not yet finalised. Figures will be available when the Jobcentre Plus Annual Report is published later this year.
	Source
	Jobcentre Plus

New Deal for Young People

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of New Deal for Young People participants found work on (a) the Gateway and (b) the Extended Gateway, in each year since 1997.

Des Browne: In exceptional circumstances, New Deal for Young people (NDYP) participants can have their Gateway period extended. However, these cases are not recorded separately.
	The available information is in the table:
	
		New Deal for Young People: Participants leaving Gateway to an unsubsidised job
		
			  Proportion (percentage) 
		
		
			 1998 48.5 
			 1999 44.6 
			 2000 44.3 
			 2001 41.8 
			 2002 40.2 
			 2003 (January to March) 37.1 
		
	
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database

New Deal for Young People

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of starts on each of the New Deal for Young People options have led to sustained unsubsidised employment.

Des Browne: By the end of March 2003, 427,900 young people had gained work through the New Deal for Young People (NDYP). The information requested is in the table:
	
		New Deal for Young People Options
		
			 NDYP option Number of starts Numbers moving into sustained unsubsidised employment Proportion (percentage) 
		
		
			 Employment 67,400 30,000 44.5 
			 Education/Training 118,800 33,200 27.9 
			 Voluntary Sector 70,000 20,700 29.6 
			 Environmental Task Force 67,100 19,200 28.6 
		
	
	Note:
	Included within the number of starts are 21,800 people who are currently still participating on an NDYP Option.
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database

Operational Intelligence Units

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether Scotland is classified as a nation or a region for the purposes of the National Model for the Operational Intelligence Units.

Chris Pond: The National Model for the Operational Intelligence Units is based on the organisation of Jobcentre Plus which was established in April 2002. Jobcentre Plus is made up of the countries of Scotland and Wales and the nine English regions.

Operational Intelligence Units

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people are employed in the East of Scotland Operational Intelligence Unit;
	(2)  how many jobs will be lost as a result of the closure of the East of Scotland Operational Intelligence Unit;
	(3)  how many people are employed in the Glasgow Operational Intelligence Unit;
	(4)  whom he consulted prior to the announcement of the closure of the East of Scotland Operational Intelligence Unit.

Chris Pond: There are currently 21 officers employed in the East of Scotland Operational Intelligence Unit and 25 officers in the Glasgow Operational Intelligence Unit.
	By the end of 2003–04 it is planned to transfer the work of the Edinburgh unit to the Glasgow site in order to improve co-ordination of the delivery of Operational Intelligence Unit services across Scotland.
	The centralisation of the Operational Intelligence Unit in Glasgow will result in no job losses. The staff currently employed in Edinburgh will remain at this location and be allocated other counter fraud work and the Glasgow Operational Intelligence Unit will eventually employ a total of 49 staff.
	The decision to transfer the counter fraud work from Edinburgh to Glasgow did not involve the closure of any Jobcentre Plus office or result in any job losses. Therefore it was felt that this was an internal management matter and so, apart from consultation with local union officials, consultation outside Jobcentre Plus was not appropriate.

Pensioners (Shrewsbury and Atcham)

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham have been (a) sent details of the new pension credit scheme and (b) informed of the phasing out of pension books.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is not available in the form requested. The Pension Service began in April 2003 to write to pensioner households to explain pension credit and to invite applications. The order in which households are contacted has been designed to produce a controlled and measured build up of applications, evenly distributed throughout the UK. The households to be contacted before October represent a cross section of the pensioner population, including pensioners of all age groups and likely levels of eligibility for pension credit. By June 2004, all pensioner households will have been contacted. As part of a separate exercise, The Pension Service also began in April to write to pensioners to invite them to convert to direct payment into an account. This exercise will be completed by October 2004.

Pensions

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations his Department has received in relation to charity sector involvement in the new Employers' Task Force on Pensions; and whether the Employers' Task Force on Pensions will be seeking further representations from the charity sector.

Malcolm Wicks: The Charity Finance Director's Group (CFDG) have written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and to Sir Peter Davis, Chairman of the Employer Task Force on Pensions, regarding charity sector involvement.
	Membership of the Employer Task Force was announced in the answer given by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Baroness Hollis, on 5 June 2003, Lords Official Report, column 188–89WA. Within a small Task Force not all sectors could be individually represented. However members have been appointed on their own merit and Lucy Anderson brings experience of the charity sector, from her previous work at SCOPE.
	CFDG have also provided a submission to the Task Force. It will be for Sir Peter Davis and the Task Force to consider whether they wish to seek further representations from the charity sector.

Pensions

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) estimated current level of funding of occupational pensions schemes and (b) proportion of schemes in deficit is, with the aggregate size of those deficits, is using (i) the present basis for minimum funding requirement and (ii) that which operated in May 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: Information about scheme funding levels as assessed on the basis of the minimum funding requirement (MFR) is not routinely collected. Estimates prepared by the Government Actuary's Department, based on economic conditions in June 2003, are set out in the table 1 .
	1 These estimates are based on MFR data collected from the actuarial profession from consulting actuaries and insurance companies on the MFR funding levels of a sample of just over 1,000 schemes that had an MFR valuation with an effective date between April 1997 and April 2000. The sample may under-represent certain types of schemes, for example smaller schemes. These data have been broadly adjusted to reflect economic conditions in June 2003 using assumptions about the investment policies of the schemes involved: figures for a different date could well give different results depending on movements in market conditions. However, the exact position now on the MFR basis as it operated in 1997 cannot be known exactly, as the financial indicators specified for use in the calculations originally are no longer published in the same form.
	
		
			  Estimates based on current MFR basis Estimates based on MFR basis operating in May 1997 
		
		
			 Level of funding against the MFR taking together all schemes subject to the MFR(25)(Percentage) 106 98 
			 Proportion of schemes below 100 per cent. funded on the basis of the MFR(26)(Percentage) 50 75 
			 Aggregate MFR deficit across all schemes below 100 per cent. funded on the basis of the MFR(27) (£ billion) 30 60 
		
	
	(25) These estimates indicate total scheme assets expressed as a percentage of total scheme MFR liabilities.
	(26) Rounded to the nearest 5 per cent.
	(27) Rounded to the nearest £5 billion.

Pensions

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes have been made to the basis for minimum funding requirement since May 1997; and what effect the changes have had on the demonstrated level of funding of a typical pension scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: The actuarial basis for the minimum funding requirement (MFR) is kept under review by the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries. They have recommended two substantive changes to the basis since May 1997, and both were implemented. From 15 June 1998 the factor for the equity market value adjustment, which generally applies to the calculation of liabilities for scheme members below pension age, was reduced from 4.25 per cent. to 3.25 per cent. and the gross yield on the FTSE Actuaries All-Share Index was replaced with the net yield on the same index. From 7 March 2002 the factor for the equity market value adjustment was further reduced, from 3.25 per cent. to 3.00 per cent. The changes were intended to address movements in the strength of the MFR test resulting from changing economic and demographic trends. In addition to these changes there have been a number of minor technical amendments to the actuarial guidance which governs the calculation of a scheme's MFR liabilities.
	It is not possible to define a typical pension scheme, but estimates 1 about the effect of these changes on the aggregated MFR funding levels of all schemes subject to the MFR have been prepared by the Government Actuary's Department. These indicate that the change which took effect from 15 June 1998 may have increased aggregate funding levels against the MFR by around 5 per cent. and that the change which took effect in March 2002 may have further increased aggregate funding levels against the MFR by around 3 per cent.
	1 These estimates are based on MFR data collected from the actuarial profession from consulting actuaries and insurance companies on the MFR funding levels of a sample of just over 1,000 schemes that had an MFR valuation with an effective date between April 1997 and April 2000. The sample may under-represent certain types of schemes, for example smaller schemes. These data have been broadly adjusted to reflect economic conditions in June 2003 using assumptions about the investment policies of the schemes involved.

Pensions

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list, for each constituency in Wiltshire (a) the numbers of pensioners aged 80 and over in receipt of state pensions and (b) the total number in receipt of state pensions; and what percentage of the total number pensioners aged 80 and over represent.

Malcolm Wicks: Pursuant to my written answer of 30 June 2003, Official Report, columns 85–86W.
	The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table:
	
		State Pension recipients aged 80 and over as at 30 September 2002
		
			  Thousand 
			  Total number of State Pension recipients aged 80 and over Total number of State Pension recipients Percentage of those over 80 in receipt of State Pension 
		
		
			 North Wiltshire 4.2 17.5 24.0 
			 Salisbury 5.6 20.5 27.3 
			 North Swindon 2.4 12.5 19.2 
			 South Swindon 3.1 15.9 19.7 
			 Westbury 5.3 21.2 24.9 
			 Devizes 4.4 19.5 22.7 
		
	
	Note:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred and are expressed in thousands.
	2. Numbers are based on 5 per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	3. Parliamentary Constituencies are allocated using the relevant Office for National Statistics postcode directory.
	Source
	Pensions Strategy Computer System as at 30 September 2002.

Rodenticides

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what part of his Department has special responsibility for (a) assessing the impact of rodenticides on non-target wildlife, (b) producing guidelines on good practice in the use of rodenticides and (c) ensuring that rodenticides are used in accordance with legal requirements.

Des Browne: The Health and Safety Executive has recently taken over responsibility from DEFRA for the registration and assessment of rodenticides under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. Five Government Departments are signatories to these regulations, DWP, DEFRA, DH, Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales. The policy lead for vertebrates and wildlife issues remains with DEFRA. Rodenticides will be among the first chemicals to be reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Directive next year and controls under this Directive will replace those that currently exist under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. HSE is the Competent Authority for the Biocidal Products Directive in the UK. The evaluation of products includes an assessment of the possible effects to non-target species.
	The HSE has produced guidance on the safe use of rodenticides on farms and holdings, and is currently compiling specific guidance for the safe use of rodenticides in urban areas. A copy has been placed in the Library. Information and advice for the user of a rodenticide on how a product should be applied is given on the product label, and is specific for each product.
	The enforcement of the Control of Pesticides Regulations is split between the relevant enforcing bodies, which include HSE, Local Authorities and DEFRA. Which authority carries out the enforcement action is dependant on whether the product was used by a member of the public or someone employed to carry out a treatment, where the product was used and whether people, animals or the environment could have been affected by the treatment. The HSE free leaflet 'Reporting Incidents of Exposure to Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines' (INDG14) provides advice to members of the public on which body to contact and is available from HSE Books. A copy has been placed in the Library.

State Pension (Arrears Payment)

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will pay all pensioners in receipt of state pension in arrears; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: State pension has always been paid in advance. Groups representing pensioners advise that they wish these arrangements to continue, simply because it is financially advantageous to the beneficiary concerned, as the following table illustrates:
	
		
			 Date Payment in advance Payment in arrears 
		
		
			 Thursday, 11 September 2003 Man becomes 65 years 
			 Monday, 15 September 2003 Receives £77.45 full week's payment for the forthcoming week Receives £44.28 (4/7ths of £77.45) for the period 11 September 2003 
			  Regular weekly payments continue 
			 Monday, 22 September 2003 Receives full week's SP for the period 22 September 2003 to 28 September 2003 Receives full week's SP for the period 15 September 2003 to 21 September 2003 
			 Wednesday, 24 September 2003 Man dies 
			 Monday, 29 September 2003 No entitlement 3/7ths of SP for the period 22 September 2003 to 24 September 2003 due to the estate

Tax Credit Claims Forms

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average time taken to claim forms for the pension credit.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 84W.

Workstep

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has undertaken of the effectiveness of Workstep as a replacement for the assisted places scheme for people with learning and physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Jobcentre Plus plans to undertake a five year evaluation of Workstep. It will look at the impact of the programme on employment among disabled people, the service processes and outcomes for individual participants and the financial costs and benefits of the programme.
	The evaluation will include interviews with customers, providers, disability employment advisers together with longitudinal case studies. Results of the evaluation will be published as they become available.
	Jobcentre Plus has published a report: "Results-based Funded Supported Employment: Avoiding Disincentives to Serving People with Greatest Need" (W160 March 2003), a copy of which has been placed in the Library. This paper looks at the various results-based funding models and aims to inform development of Workstep funding.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Autism

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people suffer from autism in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: Information on numbers of individuals diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Belfast Education and Library Board

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been allocated in each year since 1997 to the (a) controlled, (b) maintained, (c) integrated and (d) Irish Language sectors of education in the Belfast Education and Library Board area in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: Resources are not allocated to specific sectors but rather are targeted to meet the needs of individual schools.
	Recurrent Funding
	Schools are allocated funding under the appropriate LMS Scheme and the Board also provides services for schools that are not disaggregated by individual sector or school, for example school meals, school transport and the Curriculum, Advisory and Support Services (CASS). I have been advised that recurrent expenditure in each sector for the period requested is as follows:
	
		£ million
		
			  Controlled(28) Maintained Grant Maintained Integrated Irish Medium 
		
		
			 1997–98 56.5 59.6 2.9 1.8 
			 1998–99 56.7 61.8 3.8 1.9 
			 1999–2000 62.4 63.3 5.1 2.4 
			 2000–01 67.8 69.7 5.7 2.8 
			 2001–02 69.9 74.9 5.7 3.0 
			 2002–03 (29)— (29)— (29)— (29)— 
		
	
	(28) Including Controlled Integrated Schools
	(29) Figures not yet available

Belfast Royal Hospital for Sick Children

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many scheduled operations were deferred in the last two years at the Belfast Royal Hospital for sick children.

Angela Smith: A total of 168 operations have been deferred at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children over the past two years. These have been due to a variety of social, medical and resource reasons, including at the request of the patient's family, the patient being unfit for the operation, the patient no longer requiring the procedure and staff shortages.

Buses

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Ulster buses and (b) City buses of the Translink fleet are (i) under two years, (ii) between two and five years, (iii) between five and 10 years and (iv) over 10 years old.

John Spellar: Translink has advised that the age profile of its bus fleet as at 30 June 2003 was as follows.
	
		
			  Citybus Ulsterbus Total 
		
		
			 Under two years 0 59 59 
			 Between two and five years 73 133 206 
			 Between five and 10 years 62 191 253 
			 Over 10 years 121 807 928 
			 Total 256 1,190 1,446

Classroom 2000

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the Classroom 2000 project; and what targets have been set for the project.

Jane Kennedy: The Classroom 2000 project, now known as "C2k", is still being implemented. The provision of equipment and services to over 900 primary schools was completed by the target date of December 2002, with the exception of six schools in the process of rebuilding or refurbishment. Delivery and installation of the service to 285 post-primary and special schools is due to commence in September 2003 and be completed by March 2004.

Entertainment Costs

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost was of hospitality provided by the Northern Ireland Office in each year since 1997.

Paul Murphy: The Northern Ireland Office provided the following hospitality since 1997:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2002–03 369,505 
			 2001–02 241,760 
			 2000–01 286,442 
			 1999–2000 343,789 
			 1998–99 681,670 
			 1997–98 252,585

Fatal Car Accidents

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are being taken to prevent deaths through car accidents on the main road between Belfast and Bangor in North Down.

John Spellar: I have asked the Chief Executive of Roads Service to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Hospital Admissions

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to make an assessment of how many residents of the Irish Republic require admission to hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: I have no immediate plans to make such an assessment. However, I would expect information on likely cross-border patient flows to be collected in the future as part of the implementation of Developing Better Services.

Indoor Arenas

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations were received during the public consultation on the licensing of indoor arenas; and how many were (a) in favour and (b) opposed.

John Spellar: Out of a total of 54 responses to the Consultation Paper, 38 supported the proposals contained in it, eight were opposed and eight did not express a preference.

Irish Language

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of 11 June 2003, Official Report, column 965W, on the Irish language, what costs have been incurred since 1998 as a result of Irish language policy by (a) the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, (b) the Department of Education and (c) other government departments.

Angela Smith: The costs incurred since 1998 as a result of Irish Language policy by the (a) Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, (b) Department of Education and (c) other Government Departments since 1998 are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 (a) DHSSPS 306,188 
			 (b) DE 47,802 
			 (c) Other Departments 75,445 
			 Total 429,435

Local Councillors

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether a review of attendance allowances for local councillors in Northern Ireland is in progress.

Angela Smith: Yes. A review of councillors' personal allowances is currently being undertaken by the Department of the Environment. Attendance allowance is one of the factors which will be taken into account as part of that review.

Maternity Hospital, Belfast

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he estimates the business plan for the new regional maternity hospital in Belfast will be completed.

Angela Smith: On 27 June I wrote to the Chairman of the Royal Group of Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust requesting that he proceed immediately with the preparation of the business case for the new regional maternity hospital in Belfast. It is estimated that the business case will take approximately six months to complete.

Maternity Hospital, Belfast

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he estimates construction of a new regional maternity hospital in Belfast will begin; and when it will become fully operational.

Angela Smith: Subject to the business case and approval process, it is anticipated that construction work will begin on-site in 2005 and will take approximately five years to complete.

MMR Vaccine

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent research has been conducted on the MMR vaccine.

Angela Smith: Primary MMR research has not been undertaken in Northern Ireland, mainly due to the small size of our population. However large studies addressing the issues of MMR safety and effectiveness have been carried out in the UK and other European countries. The most recent of these is a Danish study which was published at the end of 2002. This study looked at the effects of MMR in over half a million Danish children. The study concluded that there was no link between MMR and autism or any other neurodevelopment disorders.
	DHSSPS receive advice on immunisation policy from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) who keep all national and international research under regular review. The JCVI continues to recommend the use of MMR vaccine for all children.
	Further information is available on the websites of the Medical Research Council, www.doh.gov.uk and www.mmrthefacts.nhs.uk.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the Northern Ireland Housing Executive monitors the community background of contractors to which it awards work.

John Spellar: The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, in line with other public sector bodies, does not monitor the community background of contractors to which it awards work. However, there is a requirement that all contractors sign a Fair Employment Declaration which must be submitted with each tender. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland monitors contractors' compliance with current employment legislation.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts have been awarded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for all types of work in each year since 1997.

John Spellar: The number of contracts awarded is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997–98 599 
			 1998–99 390 
			 1990–2000 342 
			 2000–01 270 
			 2001–02 257 
			 2002–03 292 
		
	
	Adaptation work (which is not included in the table) is let as individual schemes under 'umbrella' contracts. There are currently 91 'umbrella' contracts ongoing. These are let on a one-year term, renewable for up to five years. This figure would be similar for each year from 1997–98.
	In addition, at any given time there are some 750 ongoing response maintenance contracts. These contracts are let for periods of between one and five years and are re-tendered on expiry.

Police Investigation

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he has taken to ensure that Sir John Stevens has sufficient resources to complete his investigation.

Paul Murphy: Sir John Stevens reports to the Chief Constable of the PSNI and his investigation has been funded by the PSNI. The resourcing of his ongoing investigation is therefore a matter for the Chief Constable.

Press Offices

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost is of the press offices of each department in Northern Ireland.

Paul Murphy: The costs of the NIO press office and the press offices of each of the 11 Departments of the Northern Ireland administration for the financial year 2003 are as follows:
	
		
			 Department £ 
		
		
			 N10 1,877,494.31 
			 OFMDFM 1,145,463.02 
			 DARD 229,487.58 
			 DCAL 111,480.29 
			 DE 198,343.96 
			 DEL 185,700.00 
			 DETI 187,000.00 
			 DOE 194,000.00 
			 DFP 150,455.00 
			 DHSSPS 291,725.00 
			 DRD 156,000.00 
			 DSD 267,250.00 
		
	
	The figure for OFMDFM includes costs associated with the co-ordination and corporate service functions in support of the Executive Information Service across the 11 Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments. For example all press releases for NI Departments are despatched through OFMDFM.

Royal Group of Hospitals

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the accessing by terrorist organisations of medical records at the Royal Group of Hospitals.

Paul Murphy: One individual, who was an employee of the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), has been charged in relation to intelligence gathering at the RVH. The individuals affected by the intelligence gathering have been informed by the PSNI. The RVH is doing everything possible to assist the police in their investigations.
	In addition, the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith), has asked the Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety to undertake a full and thorough review of patient data security arrangements at all HSS Trusts. A report is expected in the Autumn.

Saville Inquiry

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been to the public purse of the Saville Inquiry broken down by (a) legal fees, (b) accommodation, (c) transportation, (d) provision of IT equipment and (e) hiring of halls.

John Spellar: Up to end June 2003 the cash spend by the Northern Ireland Office on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was a total of £89.2 million. Breaking this down in the categories requested gives the following figures:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			  
			  
			 (a) legal fees, 38.194  
			 (b) accommodation, 7.283  
			 (c) transportation, 2.043  
			 (d) provision of IT equipment 12.273  
			 (e) hiring of halls 5.492  
			 (f) other(30) 23.915  
		
	
	(30) Figure includes salary costs of Tribunal members (except Lord Saville) and Inquiry staff, witness expenses, expert witnesses, office services and security, telecommunications and other miscellaneous office expenditure.

Security Services

John Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what savings have been made since August 1989 as a result of reductions in the strength of security services in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Murphy: The Ministry of Defence does not hold information in the form requested for the period of time in question and therefore an answer could not be compiled with any accuracy. Reductions to armed forces levels in Northern Ireland do not necessarily result in a saving to the Defence Budget as these resources are often re-deployed to other commitments.
	The expenditure and manning levels for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (formerly the RUC) for the period in question are as follows.
	
		
			  1989 2002 
		
		
			 Budget (£ million) 420.6 654.2 
			
			 Manning levels   
			 Regular Officers 8,264 7,041 
			 Full-time Reserve 3,018 2,256

Social Security Fraud

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are employed in combating fraud in social security in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: The Social Security Agency has 385 staff who are involved in a number of activities to combat social security fraud, including the:
	measurement of the levels of fraud and error.
	analysis of the reasons and causes of fraud and error.
	reviewing of cases to identify inaccuracy at initial claim stage and within existing claims.
	In addition to that, the agency also employs a further 184 staff in benefit security services who are dedicated to the identification, investigation and referral for prosecution of all cases of social security fraud.

Social Security Fraud

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been prosecuted for fraud in relation to social welfare and benefit payments in each year since 1997.

John Spellar: The number of successful prosecutions for social security fraud in each financial year since 1997 is listed in the table.
	
		
			 Financial year Successful prosecutions 
		
		
			 1997–98 430 
			 1998–99 448 
			 1999–2000 519 
			 2000–01 623 
			 2001–02 520 
			 2002–03 340

Physiotherapy Vacancies

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS physiotherapy vacancies there are in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: As at 30 September 2002 there were physiotherapy vacancies amounting to a whole-time equivalent of 42.63. Physiotherapy vacancies detailed by trust are given in the following table.
	
		
			 Health and social services (HSS) trust Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 4 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 4 
			 United Hospitals HSS Trust 10 
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 2.63 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 2.5 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 3.5 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 1 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 2 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 3 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 3 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 7 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust — 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust — 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust (including Westcare) — 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust — 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust — 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust — 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust — 
			 Total 42.63

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Asbestos

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 443W, on asbestos, if he will list buildings which have been identified as containing asbestos.

Stephen Twigg: Within my Department there are only two buildings which are known to contain asbestos; Mowden Hall in Darlington and Caxton House in London. As mentioned in my reply of 20 June my Department will comply fully with the new asbestos regulations.

Biology Teachers

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Teacher Training Agency plans to take to ensure that all newly qualified biology teachers have sufficient training to enable them to deliver basic out of classroom teaching in biology and other scientific disciplines.

David Miliband: As one of the statutory requirements to be met before qualified teacher status can be awarded, trainee secondary teachers must be able to demonstrate a secure knowledge and understanding of the subject they are trained to teach. They must also be able to demonstrate that they can plan opportunities for pupils to learn in out-of-school contexts, including school trips, museum visits, field-work and employment-based settings, with the help of other staff where appropriate.

Carers Grant

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to assist young carers.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 1 July 2003
	We are taking a number of steps to help young carers.
	We are providing funding through the Carers Special Grant. The grant is worth £100 million in 2003/04, of which 20 per cent. is earmarked for children's services, including young carers, which enable young carers to have a break.
	We are also funding The Children's Society to undertake a three-year project, The Young Carers Initiative. This has involved direct consultation with young carers, leading to the publication last November, with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, of "Making it Work, Good practice with young carers and their families".
	The Initiative supports more that 250 projects or groups across the country working with young carers, where they can go for advice, information and support or leisure. The Initiative has just entered its final year and is concentrating on developing standards for work with young carers.
	Further, we are ensuring that young carers' needs are taken into account in developing work such as the National Service Framework for Children.
	For further information I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) by the then Minister of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith) on 21 May.

Carers Grant

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many children with a learning disability took short breaks enabled by funding from the carers grant in each year since 1997–98, broken down by each social services authority;
	(2)  what net expenditure from the carers grant on children with a learning disability by each social services authority in England (a) was in each year since 1997–98 and (b) is projected for the financial year 2003–04;
	(3)  how many children took short breaks enabled by funding from the carers grant in each year since 1997–98, broken down by social services authority.

Margaret Hodge: Since it was introduced in 1999, the funding for the carer's grant has increased year by year, and will continue to do so, as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1999–2000 20 
			 2000–01 50 
			 2001–02 70 
			 2002–03 85 
			 2003–04 100 
			 2004–05 125 
			 2005–06 185 
		
	
	20 per cent. of the carer's grant is earmarked for children's services. It is a matter for local authorities to determine local needs and distribute the carer's grant as they see fit. For this reason, information about how much money each local authority spends on services for children in general, and children with a learning disability, is not held centrally. Details about how many children with a learning disability from each social services authority took short breaks funded by the carer's grant are also not held centrally.
	In 2001–02, 52,481 families were supported by children's services using the carer's grant. Before this date we did not collect data on the breakdown of spending of the carer's grant between children's and adult's services. This information will continue to be collected in future years.

Chair of Governors Award

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individuals have studied successfully for the Chair of Governors award; and if he will make a statement on his policy on attracting, training and supporting school governors.

David Miliband: Since June 2000, 21 governors from Essex, Cambridgeshire, Lewisham and Thurrock have been awarded the BTEC Higher Certificate for the Chair of Governors award developed by Essex LEA.
	My right hon. Friend's policy on attracting, training and supporting school governors is to empower local education authorities and schools to deliver high quality support locally. The Department's school governor recruitment strategy offers support to locally based governor recruitment activities by LEAs and schools. We have produced the Help Schools Help Children information leaflet which promotes governorship and a supporting toolkit which offers advice and guidance on recruitment activities as well as publicity materials which can be adapted for local use. My Department also funds the School Governors' One Stop Shop which was established in November 1999 to recruit governors with business and management skills for inner city schools in Excellence in Cities (EiC) areas. In September 2002 this remit was extended to a number of other areas known to have serious vacancy problems.
	Under my Department's National Strategy for Training and Supporting School Governors the first priority was to develop a National Training Programme for New Governors to ensure that all governors have the information they need to fulfil their statutory functions. The programme, which is delivered by LEA governor trainers, has been operating since September 2001. A Clerks' National Training Programme, developed for the Department by Consortium 52, a partnership involving LEAs in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humberside regions, together with the local diocesan bodies, is being rolled out to LEAs this summer. The programme supports a national job description for clerks, agreed after extensive consultation last year, and should increase awareness of this important role as well as ensure that clerks have the necessary skills and knowledge to support governing bodies effectively.
	The third strand of the strategy is a National Development Programme for Heads and Chairs, which is currently being developed by the Eastern Leadership Centre (an Affiliated Centre for the National College of School Leadership) in partnership with governor services in nine eastern region LEAs in association with local Anglican and Catholic dioceses. The programme will provide skills training for chairs as well as joint development for heads and chairs linked to supporting a school improvement activity in the participants' schools, to develop joint leadership and effective team working. The Programme is due to be delivered to the Department at the end of March 2004.
	All of these programmes build on existing good practice, provide mixed media resources, and offer self study as well as taught course materials to cater for a wide variety of preferred learning styles and access arrangements.

Child Care

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to (a) train and (b) recruit people in the child care sector; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Good quality child care helps to enhance outcomes for children. A skilled and qualified child care workforce is essential to meet our objectives to increase the availability of high quality child care for all age groups.
	We provide for the training of child care workers through the Learning and Skills Council, and through funding allocated to local authorities and their Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships. It is for local LSCs and local authorities to assess needs in their areas and develop plans to ensure the training delivered best meets them. We issued joint guidance with LSC to encourage local planning for workforce development.
	A national child care recruitment campaign has been running since 2000 to encourage people to consider a career in child care. It includes television and media advertising, a variety of customised information and materials, a national order line and a website with order facility. Local authorities promote careers in child care using a range of materials and events, working with local partners such as Jobcentre Plus, Careers Services, providers and sector organisations to provide practical help to potential recruits.

Child Care

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment has been made of the reasons why local authorities make reciprocal arrangements to pay for (a) nursery and (b) child care facilities.

Margaret Hodge: Prior to April 2003, cross border disputes arose typically because of differences between local education authorities' (LEAs') eligibility criteria and grant distribution. Guidance issued by the Sure Start Unit encourages LEAs to make reciprocal arrangements or otherwise to consider funding on a case by case basis. Nursery education funding is now allocated to LEAs through their Education Formula Spending Share. This is calculated on the basis of the latest data on pupil numbers and reflects provision for all children taking up a free place, regardless of where they live. From April 2004, there should be no need for reciprocal arrangements since all LEAs will have a statutory duty to provide a free nursery education place for every three year old whose parents want one.

Child Care

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the average cost for full day child care in each local education authority in England was in 2001–02;
	(2)  when he will reply to the question from the hon. Member for Regent's Park and Kensington North, ref 120625 tabled on 17 June.

Margaret Hodge: 110 of the 150 local authorities responsible for reviewing child care in their areas supplied figures to the Department for the average weekly cost of full day child care in their areas in 2001–02. Their figures are not directly comparable since they may have been collected at different times during the year. The are now somewhat out of date and they reflect figures given to us by the local authorities themselves.
	
		£
		
			 Local authority Average weekly cost of full day child care, 2001–02  
		
		
			 Barnsley 100 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 124 
			 Bedfordshire 127 
			 Bexley 122 
			 Birmingham 95 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 80 
			 Blackpool 84 
			 Bolton 102 
			 Bournemouth 110 
			 Bradford 92 
			 Brent 105 
			 Brighton and Hove 111 
			 Bristol 116 
			 Bromley 160 
			 Calderdale 95 
			 Cambridgeshire 120 
			 Camden 115 
			 Cheshire 111 
			 Cornwall 95 
			 Coventry 100 
			 Croydon 110 
			 Cumbria 80 
			 Darlington 89 
			 Derby 86 
			 Devon 81 
			 Doncaster 100 
			 Dorset 96 
			 Dudley 92 
			 Durham 100 
			 Ealing 150 
			 East Sussex 125 
			 Enfield 144 
			 Essex 120 
			 Greenwich 130 
			 Halton 141 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 174 
			 Harrow 134 
			 Hartlepool 84 
			 Havering 131 
			 Herefordshire 64 
			 Hertfordshire 156 
			 Hillingdon 157 
			 Hounslow 170 
			 Isle of Scilly 90 
			 Isle of Wight 48 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 126 
			 Kingston upon Hull 91 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 175 
			 Kirklees 100 
			 Knowsley 90 
			 Leeds 143 
			 Leicester 117 
			 Leicestershire 110 
			 Lincolnshire 86 
			 Liverpool 88 
			 Luton 108 
			 Manchester 108 
			 Medway 111 
			 Merton 150 
			 Middlesbrough 55 
			 Milton Keynes 109 
			 North East Lincolnshire 89 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 140 
			 Newham 101 
			 North Lincolnshire 86 
			 North Somerset 90 
			 North Tyneside 111 
			 North Yorkshire 90 
			 Northamptonshire 60 
			 Northumberland 123 
			 Nottingham City 92 
			 Nottinghamshire 95 
			 Oldham 85 
			 Oxfordshire 116 
			 Poole 90 
			 Portsmouth City 107 
			 Reading 150 
			 Redbridge 99 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 75 
			 Rotherham 99 
			 Rutland 110 
			 Sheffield 110 
			 Shropshire 95 
			 Slough 156 
			 Solihull 101 
			 Somerset 92 
			 South Gloucestershire 123 
			 South Tyneside 114 
			 Southampton 125 
			 Southwark 102 
			 St. Helens 89 
			 Stockport 126 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 77 
			 Suffolk 97 
			 Tameside 91 
			 Thurrock 104 
			 Torbay 86 
			 Wakefield 88 
			 Walsall 76 
			 Warrington 110 
			 Warwickshire 110 
			 West Berkshire 136 
			 West Sussex 126 
			 Westminster 120 
			 Wigan 88 
			 Wiltshire 92 
			 Wirral 106 
			 Wolverhampton 93 
			 Worcestershire 93 
			 York 108 
		
	
	Note:
	Full day child care includes care for children under age eight for more than four hours in settings which are not domestic premises. All figures are rounded to the nearest whole pound.

Child Guardianship

Tim Loughton: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, how many children have been awaiting CAFCASS hearings on future guardianship for (a) three to four weeks, (b) five to eight weeks, (c) nine to 12 weeks and (d) more than 12 weeks.

Margaret Hodge: The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) does not make the decision to remove children from the care of their parents or guardians, or hold hearings on future guardianship. Court hearings are held to determine these questions. A CAFCASS practitioner represents the interests of a child during proceedings. The court considers all the evidence before it, including CAFCASS reports and makes the decision about the child's future. At the end of April 2003, CAFCASS were dealing with 12,245 public law cases (care, adoption, freeing orders and guardianship) that were at various stages between application and final hearing. Information on how many children are awaiting hearings on future guardianship is not held centrally and could not be collected without incurring disproportionate cost.

Children at Risk Green Paper

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 25 June, ref 121620, to which other reports the Green Paper on Children at Risk will make a substantive response.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 30 June 2003
	The Green Paper on Children at Risk will make a formal response to the joint chief inspectors' report, "Safeguarding Children" and the Victoria Climbié Inquiry report.

Children's Centres

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of children's centres will be funded exclusively by his Department in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 26 June 2003
	The Government are allocating resources to develop children centres, and to create 43,000 new child care places—£435 million in this spending review period, including £317 million capital. Local authorities are responsible for deciding how and where children's centre services will be delivered. The majority of centres will be developed from sure start local programmes, neighbourhood nurseries and early excellence centres. However, the sure start unit is also encouraging development from other existing provision in the maintained, voluntary and private sectors. Local authority strategic plans are due by mid October 2003; we cannot estimate what proportion of centres will be fully funded by DfES until these are received.

Consultation Documents

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the consultation documents issued by his Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Early Years Education

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of three year-olds have access to early years education in (a) the Bury St Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk, (c) Norfolk, (d) Essex and (c) Cambridgeshire.

Margaret Hodge: The information is not available in the form requested.
	The available information is shown in the table.
	
		Number of free early years education places taken up by three year olds January 2002
		
			 Local education authority area Number of free early years education places taken up by three year olds 
		
		
			 Suffolk 4,200 
			 Norfolk 4,800 
			 Essex 8,700 
			 Cambridgeshire 2,700 
		
	
	We have made the commitment that by April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all three year olds whose parents want one, will have access to a free, part-time early education place.
	Latest figures on three year olds in early years education providers were published by the Department in the Statistical First Release "Provision for Children Under Five Years of Age in England: January 2003 (Provisional) (15/2003)" in May 2003, a copy of which is available from the Library. An electronic copy of this publication is also available on the Department's web-site www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.

Education Funding

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what additional funding over and above the standard allocations (a) was spent and (b) has been allocated by the Learning and Skills Council to assist colleges in financial health category C in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03 from (A) participation, (B) Standards Fund and (C) other budget heads;
	(2)  how many further education colleges were assessed by the Learning and Skills Council or its predecessor bodies as being in financial health category C at (a) 31st March 2000, (b) 31 March 2001, (c) 31 March 2002 and (d) 31 March 2003;
	(3)  what steps have been taken by the Learning and Skills Council since April 2000 to assist colleges in financial health category C to improve their position.

Alan Johnson: These are matters for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

GCSE/GNVQ Point Scores

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of the average capped GCSE/GNVQ point scores was obtained by (a) GSCE results and (b) GNVQ results by pupils in (i) sports colleges, (ii) technology colleges, (iii) languages colleges and (iv) arts colleges in each year between 1995 and 2002;
	(2)  what proportion of the average capped GCSE/GNVQ point scores was obtained by (a) GCSE results and (b) GNVQ results by pupils in (i) grammar schools, (ii) secondary modern schools, (iii) non-specialist comprehensives and (iv) specialist comprehensives in each year between 1995 and 2002.

David Miliband: The proportions of the GCSE/GNVQ point scores obtained by GCSEs and by GNVQs are shown in the table. The GCSE/GNVQ point score that has been used is the total uncapped GCSE/GNVQ point score, rather than the average capped GCSE/GNVQ point score, in order to be consistent with earlier years' data which were uncapped.
	
		GCSE/GNVQ achievements of 15-year-old pupils in schools in England, 1995 to 2002
		
			 Academic year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Sports colleges 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs — — — 99.8 99.2 98.8 98.8 97.1 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs — — — 0.2 0.8 1.2 1.2 2.9 
			 Technology colleges 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs 100 100 99.4 98.9 98.7 98.4 98 95.5 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs 0 0 0.6 1.1 1.3 1.6 2 4.5 
			 Language colleges 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs — 100 99.9 99.8 99.3 99.2 99 98.1 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs — 0 0.1 0.2 0.7 0.8 1 1.9 
			 Arts colleges 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs — — — 98.9 99.3 99.1 98.8 96.6 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs — — — 1.1 0.7 0.9 1.2 3.4 
			 Grammar schools 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99.9 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.1 
			 Secondary moderns 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs 100 100 99.6 99.5 99.3 98.8 98.5 96.7 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs 0 0 0.4 0.5 0.7 1.2 1.5 3.3 
			 Non specialist comprehensives 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs 100 100 99.8 99.7 99.5 99.3 99 97.6 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs 0 0 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.7 1 2.4 
			 Specialist comprehensives 
			 Percentage of total points from GCSEs 100 100 99.5 99.1 98.8 98.7 98.4 96.3 
			 Percentage of total points from GNVQs 0 0 0.5 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.6 3.7

Growing Schools Programme

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools in Chesham and Amersham were involved in the Growing Schools Programme in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

Stephen Twigg: No schools in either Chesham or Amersham were involved in the Growing Schools programme in either 2001–02 or 2002–03. However, three schools from Buckinghamshire LEA, High Wycombe CE Primary, The Wycombe Grange Pupil Referral Unit and Verney Avenue Special School, were involved. They participated in one of the five flagship projects managed by Berkshire College of Agriculture and National Association of Principal Agricultural Education Officers between April 2002 and April 2003.

Independent Schools

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prosecutions in relation to the inadequacies of boarding quarters have been brought by the National Care Standards Commission against (a) the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference and Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools and (b) other independent boarding schools in each of the last five years.

David Miliband: The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) does not prosecute independent schools if there are inadequacies in their boarding provision. It reports deficiencies to the Department for Education and Skills which is the registration authority for independent schools.
	My officials press independent schools to respond quickly to concerns raised by NCSC, and schools that fail to address these concerns may be served with a Notice of Complaint setting out the remedies we are seeking. If the concerns set out in the Notice of Complaint are not addressed, the Department will deregister and close the school.
	During the last five years four boarding schools have been served with a Notice of Complaint on welfare grounds. One of these schools belonged to the Incorporated Association of Independent Schools, the others did not belong to the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference or any other association affiliated to the Independent Schools Council.

Learning and Skills Councils

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the relationship is between (a) Connexions, (b) LEAs, (c) young offenders institutions, (d) Jobcentre Plus and (e) learning and skills councils.

Margaret Hodge: They provide different forms of support to young people and adults. Where young people are at risk, it is particularly important that they work closely together.
	The Connexions service provides information, advice, guidance and access to personal development opportunities for 13 to 19-year-olds. Its focus is on helping young people stay engaged in education, training and employment. Connexions partnerships support LEAs in a number of ways. For instance fines agree with them how they will contribute to the achievement of reducing unauthorised absence of young people from school.
	Young offender institutions accommodate 15 to 21-year-olds. Many of these young people face many barriers to taking part in education, training or employment—e.g. they may have been in care, are substance abusers, and have mental health problems. Connexions provides access to holistic support that overcomes these barriers. Connexions partnerships are therefore developing strong links and formal agreements with young offender institutes in their areas.
	Connexions and Jobcentre Plus work in close partnership to provide an efficient, supportive and integrated service to young people claiming benefit, with particular emphasis on those aged 16–17.
	The Learning and Skills Council is responsible for all post-16 education and training. Connexions partnerships and local learning and skills councils have joint working strategies to ensure that all young people aged 16–19 receive appropriate learning and development opportunities.

Learning Disabilities

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he supports to ensure that those with learning disabilities are not disadvantaged within the examination system.

David Miliband: The Joint Council for General Qualifications (JCGQ) is responsible for determining the detailed regulations and guidance relating to candidates with particular requirements.
	We support special measures that help those candidates for whom the standard arrangements for the assessment of their attainment may present an unnecessary barrier, where such measures do not affect the validity of the assessment.

Literacy (Battersea)

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effect of the national literacy strategy on literacy skills amongst primary school children in Battersea.

Stephen Twigg: The National Literacy Strategy (together with the National Numeracy Strategy) has transformed standards in our primary schools and the 2002 test results at age seven and 11 were the best ever. Nationally, 75 per cent. of pupils achieved level four or above in the 2002 Key Stage 2 English tests, 10 percentage points more than in 1998. Compared to 1998, about 60,000 more 11-year olds achieved the expected level for their age in English.
	The achievement gap between high and low performing schools and local education authorities (LEAs) has also narrowed significantly. The lowest achieving LEA is now performing at around the level of the average LEA of five years ago and the percentage of schools achieving below 65 per cent. in English and maths has been roughly halved since 1998.
	The improvement of literacy standards of pupils in Wandsworth LEA is broadly in line with the national improvement. In 1998 64 per cent. of pupils achieved level four or above in English at Key Stage 2. In 2002 the figure was 73 per cent. The Key Stage 2 results are provided at national, LEA, and school level. We are unable to disaggregate results for Battersea schools.

London Challenge Initiative

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) professional staff, (b) administrative staff and (c) consultants work on his Department's London Challenge initiative; what the total budget is for the initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Twigg: The London Challenge is a major new programme of work to raise standards in London schools. Our recently published strategy document "The London Challenge: Transforming London Secondary Schools" sets out a comprehensive programme of work, including 20 new schools and 30 academies, intended to create a city as renowned for its learning and creativity as it already is for so many other things.
	In announcing the London Challenge, the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Estelle Morris), announced that £25 million would be set aside over three years for the implementation of new initiatives arising from the programme, including £7.5 million for a major programme of leadership training and support in schools and £10 million for a new London gifted and talented centre. In addition, the programme of work set out in the strategy document involves a major focusing of national programmes (including, for example, the academies programme) on London—so that there will be very significant new investment in London over the next three years.
	The programme is currently staffed by:
	(a) 10 professional staff
	(b) Nine civil servants
	(c) One consultant.

Millennium Volunteer Projects

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he issues to Government regional offices regarding the distribution of funding for millennium volunteer projects.

Ivan Lewis: The funding which is to be allocated for 2004–05 and 2005–06 to each region will be finalised in September 2003. Government Offices for the Regions will be able to take decisions on how funding for local millennium volunteers activity in 2004–05 and 2005–06 is to be distributed within their regions. These decisions will take account of regional needs and will be informed by local discussions with key partners as well as the outcomes of a review of the formula which will determine the allocation of funds to each region. In making their decisions in late autumn, Government offices will take into account existing provision, the needs of young people, particularly those at risk, and the coverage across their region.

Minister for Children

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what age range the Minister for Children's responsibilities cover.

Margaret Hodge: My responsibilities cover the policies of the Department for Education and Skills for children, young people and their families from the child's conception to age 19, plus specific responsibility for certain vulnerable groups beyond 19 such as young people leaving care. Particular services and programmes may cover different age groups, depending on the nature of the service. I work closely with Ministers in a range of other Government departments responsible for delivery of services to children.

Minister for Children

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Minister for Children has responsibility for (a) children in prison, (b) asylum-seeker children and (c) children of domestic violence victims in refuges.

Margaret Hodge: My responsibilities cover the services provided by the Department for Education and Skills for children in these particular situations. These include:
	support for unaccompanied asylum seeking children;
	ensuring an appropriate education for children of asylum seekers, young people in secure establishments, and children living in domestic violence refuges;
	Connexions services for any of these young people aged 13–19;
	SureStart programmes for families in refuges;
	programmes supporting these children funded by the Children's Fund;
	social care for all children and young people in secure establishments, and children living in domestic violence refuges.
	I am also working with Ministers from other Departments in fulfilling their responsibilities for these children as follows:
	the Home Office for services to children and young people in secure establishments, for asylum seeking children (both accompanied and unaccompanied);
	the Department of Health, for healthcare for children; and
	the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on funding for domestic violence refuges and their services.
	As Minister for Children my role is to put children's needs at the heart of our services and to facilitate co-operation between different agencies and providers.

Ministerial Meetings

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many times he and his predecessors met the Mayor of London in official meetings at the Department in each of the past three years.

Alan Johnson: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the Mayor of London from time to time, but detailed information requested is not maintained in the form requested.

Private Office Costs

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the running costs have been of Ministers' private offices in his Department in each year since 1997.

Stephen Twigg: The information requested is in the table. This information includes the total running cost for the Department for Education and Skills and its predecessor, the Department of Education and Employment.
	
		
			 Financial year Running cost (£ million) 
		
		
			 2002–03 2.2 
			 2001–02 2.1 
			 2000–01 2.3 
			 1999–2000 2.0 
			 1998–99 1.9 
			 1997–98 (31)— 
		
	
	(31) Information not held in format requested

Education Provision (The Wrekin)

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 11-year-olds in The Wrekin have achieved level 4 in each year since 1997 in (a) English and (b) maths.

David Miliband: The table shows the percentage of pupils achieving level 4 or above in the Key Stage 2 English and maths tests in maintained schools in The Wrekin constituency between 1997 and 2002:
	
		
			  The Wrekin England 
		
		
			 English KS2 test   
			 1997 62 63 
			 1998 67 65 
			 1999 71 71 
			 2000 77 75 
			 2001 78 75 
			 2002 75 75 
			 Maths KS2 test   
			 1997 62 62 
			 1998 61 59 
			 1999 68 69 
			 2000 73 72 
			 2001 69 71 
			 2002 73 73

Education Provision (The Wrekin)

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students there were in further education in The Wrekin in each year since 1997.

Alan Johnson: The numbers of people resident in The Wrekin constituency who were students at Further Education colleges in each year since 1997/98 are shown in the table below. Due to the way the data are collected, figures prior to 2000/01 are only available for students funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), or as it was then, the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC). Those not funded by the council are included for 2000/01, the latest full year for which information is available.
	
		Numbers of people resident in The Wrekin constituency studying at Further Education colleges by year (thousands)
		
			 Academic year Council funded Non-council funded 
		
		
			  
			  
			 1997/98 6,000 n/a 
			 1998/99 6,200 n/a 
			 1999/00 6,000 n/a 
			 2000/01 6,500 1,600 
		
	
	Source
	Individualised Student Record

Education Provision (The Wrekin)

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) teachers and (b) classroom assistants in schools there were in The Wrekin in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The table shows the number of regular teachers and teaching assistants in maintained schools in Telford and Wrekin local education authority since 1999. Prior to this Telford and Wrekin was part of Shropshire LEA. 2002 is the latest year for which teacher data are available.
	
		
			  Regular teachers(32) Teaching assistants(33),(34),(35) 
		
		
			 1999 1,360 260 
			 2000 1,340 280 
			 2001 1,410 370 
			 2002 1,420 390 
			 2003(36) — 480 
		
	
	(32) Full-time equivalent teachers in post in the maintained schools sector.
	(33) Includes nursery assistants, special needs support staff, minority ethnic pupil support staff.
	(34) Includes non-maintained special schools and special and general hospital schools.
	(35) Includes both full-time and the full-time equivalent of part-time.
	(36) Provisional

Qualified Teacher Status

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the oral answer of the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Poole (Mr. Syms), of 25 June 2003, Official Report, column 1047, how many of the additional 25,000 teachers have qualified teacher status; what status the remaining teachers have; and what their distribution is by (a) primary and (b) secondary sectors.

David Miliband: holding answer 3 July 2003
	The number of regular teachers in the maintained sector in England increased by 24,800 between January 1997 and January 2003 (provisional). The number of teachers with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) rose by 12,500. The number of teachers with professional qualifications obtained in countries outside the European Economic Area and instructors with special qualifications or experience of particular skills or subjects rose by 8,500. The remaining 3,800 of the increase is comprised of mature career-changers working towards QTS while working as teachers on employment-based training routes like the graduate teacher programme. These routes, which were first established in 1998, already provide over 10 per cent. of all newly-qualified teachers. Since autumn 2000, the earliest date for which these data are available, over 5,000 teachers on employment-based training programmes have been awarded QTS. Almost 900 of those have gained QTS since January 2003.
	Data about teachers by phase of employment for January 2003 are not yet available in the form requested. Of the 24,800 increase 5,800 were in the maintained nursery and primary phase, 17,600 were in the maintained secondary phase and 1,400 were in maintained special schools, pupil referral units or education elsewhere.

Research

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much his Department has spent on research to help achieve its aims and objectives in each year since 1997.

Stephen Twigg: holding answer 10 July 2003
	The Department has spent the following each year since 1997:
	
		Research funding
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 1997 4.4 
			 1998 4.8 
			 1999 6.2 
			 2000 10.6 
			 2001 8.2 
			 2002 9.2

Sight Problems

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he is introducing to improve screening of schoolchildren for sight problems.

Margaret Hodge: The Department of Health is responsible for the provision of eye checks undertaken by local primary health care teams in accordance with professional advice. The principal threats to eye health and impaired vision development should be detected, at or before school age, through health development checks or through a visual screening on school entry. Older children may develop myopia (short sight) which is usually recognised when they complain of difficulty seeing clearly at distance. Since the onset of myopia commonly occurs between the ages of nine and 16 it is not possible to identify optimum ages for screening. Children may "pass" a routine screening examination only to find problems within the next few months. Whenever parents or carers suspect that there is a problem with their child's sight they should take them to an optician. All children up to the age of 15 are entitled to free sight tests, as are children aged 16–18 if they are in full time education.
	The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice provides practical advice to local education authorities, maintained schools and others on carrying out their statutory duties to identify, assess and make provision for children's special educational needs, including for children with visual impairment. The Code aims to promote consistency of approach, but, within its guidelines, it is for schools and LEAs to determine appropriate intervention based on an assessment of each child's individual needs and circumstances.

Teacher Leavers

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have left the profession in each year since 1997.

David Miliband: The table shows the numbers of teachers leaving 1 full-time or part time 2 service in the maintained schools sector in England since 1997. Data to 2001 are the most recent available.
	1 Leavers are those who were in full-time or part-time teaching in the maintained schools sector immediately before the period shown, who were not in service in that sector at the end of the period shown. It includes teachers that have retired. Teachers leaving are based on pension returns. Some teachers may have moved from known service to service not recorded on the teacher pension return. Some leavers will be taking career breaks and will return to service at a later date.
	2 Around 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of part-timers may not be included.
	
		
			  Teachers leaving 
		
		
			 1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997 35,650  
			 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998(37) 39,050 
			 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 31,910 
			 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 34,930 
			 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 35,440 
		
	
	(37) Higher than usual numbers of premature retirements, following changes to the retirement regulations, contributed to the high levels of leavers in 1997–98.
	In 2000–01 40,300 teachers entered teaching full-time or part time in the maintained sector in England, including 13,000 teachers that had returned to teaching after previously leaving the profession.

Student Loans

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of outstanding student loans are (a) loans for maintenance and (b) loans for tuition fees.

Alan Johnson: Under current student support legislation, all outstanding student loans relate to loans for maintenance.

Teachers

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers have been employed in Leicestershire local education authority area in each year since 1996–97.

David Miliband: The table shows the number of regular teachers in maintained schools in Leicestershire since January 1997. Prior to 1 April 1998 Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland were part of the former Leicestershire local education authority. 2002 is the latest year for which teacher data are available.
	
		Full-time equivalent regular teachers (excluding occasional) in service in the maintained schools sector
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Former Leicestershire 7,690 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Leicestershire n/a 4,800 4,860 4,930 5,020 5,040 
			 Leicester n/a 2,570 2,660 2,600 2,760 2,710 
			 Rutland n/a 250 260 220 240 250 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of teenage pregnancy literature produced by the Government; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy national campaign was launched in October 2000 with advertisements, aimed at boys and girls aged 13–17, running in popular teenage magazines and local independent radio. The campaign is supported by a freephone advice line and website. Local materials are also available for use by local teenage pregnancy strategies.
	In the tracking survey carried out as part of the independent national evaluation of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, over 70 per cent. of 13–17 year olds recognised the advertisements, a level of recall associated with television advertising. The early success of the campaign was also recognised in the first annual report of the Independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy (2001). Since October 2000 the freephone advice line has advised over 8 million young people, around 50 per cent. of who were boys.

Teenage Pregnancy

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the impact of the cross-cutting teenage pregnancy strategy since its introduction in 1999.

Margaret Hodge: The most recent data for 2001 shows a 10 per cent. reduction in the under 18 conception rate and an 11 per cent. fall in the under 16 conception rate since 1998, the baseline year for the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy. Participation of teenage parents in education, training or employment has doubled from 16 per cent. to 33 per cent.
	These are early encouraging signs of progress towards meeting the Government's target to halve the under 18 conception rate by 2010 and increase to 60 per cent. the participation of teenage parents to reduce their long term risk of social exclusion.
	However, evidence suggests that it takes many years to bring out the societal and behavioural changes required. That is why the Government have set out a 10-year Strategy.

HEALTH

Age Discrimination

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place copies of the strategic and operational plans that identify age discrimination as referred to on page 172 of the National Service Framework for Older People in the Library.

Stephen Ladyman: Copies of local plans are not held centrally. Information collated through strategic health authorities indicated that 91 per cent. of National Health Service organisations' strategic and operational plans include action to address identified age discrimination.

Ambulance Service

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the restructuring of ambulance services in Coventry; and what estimate he has made of the likely savings to be made from the restructuring.

Stephen Ladyman: Coventry Primary Care Trust (PCT) is responsible for commissioning services for the local health community. I understand that West Midlands Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust currently provides emergency ambulance cover to Coventry and the surrounding area.
	I understand that, from 1 April 2004, Coventry PCT will be commissioning emergency ambulance services for the local health community from Warwickshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust. This decision is supported by the local health community and is part of a long-term strategy to deliver an emergency care network across Coventry and Warwickshire, with one ambulance service provider.
	I am advised that this decision is a strategic one and not about reducing costs. The investment in ambulance services by Coventry PCT will remain broadly the same.

Ashworth Special Hospital

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what his policy is on the re-engagement of retired employees at Ashworth Special Hospital to vacant posts at the establishment;
	(2)  what his policy is on employees of Ashworth Special Hospital and the statutory retirement age; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Members of staff who have retired from Ashworth Hospital are not re-employed into substantive positions.
	In common with other National Health Service organisations, employees who have retired at Ashworth are not formally re-employed. However, there are occasions when retired staff can return to work at the hospital on a 'temporary basis'.

Audit Commission Acute Hospital Survey

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the cost is of the Acute Hospital Portfolio survey by the Audit Commission; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will place a copy of the Compare CD rom by the Audit Commission, detailing performance of primary care trusts under the Acute Hospital Portfolio in the Library.

John Hutton: The Audit Commission is an independent body and inquiries about its operations should be addressed to the Commission itself.

National Blood Service

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact on the annual blood supply there will be from the introduction of short-term donation bans on donors who have visited areas where emerging pathogens and viruses are notified.

Melanie Johnson: The National Blood Service (NBS) has recently introduced deferral bans for blood donors, which apply to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and West Nile Fever virus. The NBS expects that this will reduce donations by 15,000 units.

National Blood Service

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will publish national guidelines on alternatives to blood transfusions;
	(2)  when the National Network of Transfusion Committees will publish its guidance on better blood transfusion and alternatives.

Melanie Johnson: The National Blood Service appropriate use of blood group is drawing up specific guidance on strategies for the appropriate use of blood and the use of alternatives to donor blood. Guidance is expected to be available for consideration by the Chief Medical Officers National Blood Transfusion Committee later this year, when a publication route and timetable will be discussed.

National Blood Service

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he intends to publish the results of the survey of hospital transfusion committees on Appropriate Use of Blood HSC 2002/009;
	(2)  when he will publish the results of the National Transfusion Committee audit of blood transfusion initiatives.

Melanie Johnson: An audit by the National Blood Service to review the implementation of Health Service Circular 2002/009, Better Blood Transfusion—Appropriate Use of Blood, issued in July 2002 is currently underway. The results will be submitted to the National Blood Transfusion Committee later this year when the publication route and timetable will be discussed.
	In addition, the Royal College of Physicians and the National Blood Service National Comparative Audit Team are undertaking collaborative transfusion audits.

National Blood Service

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many units of red blood cells were commissioned for use in the NHS in each of the last five years.

Melanie Johnson: Information on the number of red cell units issued by the National Blood Service to hospitals in England and North Wales for the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Red cell units issued 
		
		
			 1998–99 2,213,000 
			 1999–2000 2,243,000 
			 2000–01 2,229,000 
			 2001–02 2,206,000 
			 2002–03 2,186,000 
		
	
	Notes
	1. This includes issues to private hospitals
	2. The figures shown include paediatric red cells. As these smaller units are produced by dividing a donation of blood, the numbers of these units have been aggregated into full unit equivalents and added to the total.

Cancer Services

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by strategic health authority how much money has been allocated to cancer services (a) overall and (b) by specific area in each of the financial years from 2003 to 2006.

Melanie Johnson: Resources for funding cancer services have been included in general primary care trust (PCT) allocations for 2003–04. PCTs are receiving an additional £12.7 billion over the three years from 2003–04 to 2005–06. It is for PCTs, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national priorities, including the targets set for cancer in "Improvement, Expansion and Reform: the next three years—Priorities and Planning Framework 2003 to 2006."

Cancer Services

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the Government plans to spend to modernise cancer equipment over the next three years; and which pieces of cancer equipment will be replaced with new equipment.

Melanie Johnson: Over the next three years, £165 million will be invested by the Government to modernise equipment used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
	Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanners installed in or before 1996, and linear accelerators installed in or before 1995 will be replaced through the central investment.

Children's Fund

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used to award grants from the Children's Fund; and if he will list the (a) recipients and (b) amounts received of awards from the Children's Fund since it was established.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the shadow commissioners who have been appointed to help establish the new Commission for Healthcare and Inspection which will be operational from April 2004; and for which companies they work.

Rosie Winterton: The following have been appointed as shadow commissioners.
	Khurshid Alam is a personnel manager with St. Mungo's Housing Association. Previously he was Chief Executive of the National Association of Race Equality Councils. He is Chair of Race Agenda and a lay member of the Employment Tribunal, a lay member for Mental Health Review Tribunal and member or chair of a number of community organisations.
	Sarah Blackburn is chief executive of a consultancy specialising in the development of business risk management assurance and audit capabilities. She has been head of internal audit and risk management in Argos plc, Kingfisher plc, RAC plc and Exel plc. She is a member of the Audit Committee of the Open University and the Internal Auditing Committee of the Audit and Assurance Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. She chairs the Technical Development Committee of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
	Michael Hake is Corporate Director, Social Care and Performance at Solihull Metropolitan Council. He has been a board member of the National Care Standards Commission since its establishment in April 2001. He is also a member of the Patient Information Advisory Group (Advisory NDPB) and of the Health Records and Data Protection Review Group.
	Bruce Keogh is a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust where he has been Associate Medical Director for Clinical Governance. He is a member of the NHS Standing Medical Advisory Committee, the National Taskforce for Coronary Heart Disease and a Commissioner of the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI). He chairs the joint CHI and Audit Commission National Service Frameworks Programme Board which reviews the implementation of the National Service Frameworks in England and Wales. He is active in the NHS Information Authority, Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Royal College of Surgeons and internationally.
	Melinda Letts is a self-employed health policy consultant and executive/life coach working with voluntary, public and private sector clients. She is also Chairwoman of the Long-term Medical Conditions Alliance, an alliance of 118 health charities working for people with long-term conditions, was chief executive of the National Asthma Campaign from 1992 to 1998 and is Deputy Chair of the General Practice Airways Group, an educational charity for health professionals in respiratory care. She has been a Commissioner with the Commission for Health Improvement since November 1999 and a member of the NHS Modernisation Board since September 2000.
	Nicholas Partridge is Chief Executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the leading HIV/AIDS charity in the UK. He is Chair of Consumers in NHS Research and Development, a Trustee of International Family Health and has been a Commissioner for the Commission for Health Improvement since November 1999.
	Kamlesh Patel is Director of the Centre for Ethnicity and Health and current Chairman of the Mental Health Act Commission. He is also a non-executive board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of The National Treatment Agency, a member of the Department of Health Mental Health Workforce Task Group and is non-executive board member, executive member and Trustee of a number of voluntary organisations including Lifeline UK, DrugScope UK, Men's Health Forum.
	Shirley Pearce is Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Health Psychology at the University of East Anglia. She is a clinical psychologist by profession and has been employed in both NHS and University settings. She led the development of health professional education and research programmes at the University of East Anglia which includes the University's successful bid for, and implementation of, a new medical school. She is currently the Director of the Centre for Inter-professional Practice at UEA and a non executive director of Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA.
	John Scampion is the Commissioner for Immigration Services. For five years he was the Social Fund Commissioner for Great Britain. He is a member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and a former non-executive director of South Warwickshire Combined Hospital NHS Trust. He was Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull from 1977–1995.
	Iqbal Singh is a Consultant Physician in Medicine for the Elderly and a Professor in Ethnicity and Health. He is also the Regional Sub-Dean for the Royal Society of Medicine and has played a significant role in providing leadership to various professional organisations including as Director of the Indian Medical Association, Divisional Chairman of BMA and ODA and Member of the BMA's National Committee on Community Care. His interests include professional development and training and diversity, social cohesion and delivery of health care to ethnic communities for which he had contributed nationally and internationally.
	Paul Streets is the Chief Executive of Diabetes UK. He is a member of the NHS Modernisation Board and the only lay member of the Royal College of Physicians Council. In 2002 he chaired the Board advising on the transition to the new patient and public involvement structures within the NHS.
	Stephen Thornton is Chief Executive of The PPP Foundation (shortly to become The Health Foundation), an independent foundation encouraging leadership and innovation in healthcare. He was previously Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation and a health authority Chief Executive. He is a member of the Governing Council of the Open University.

Commission for Social Care Inspection

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the person for whom the records are held will have the right to be informed that their records have been inspected and copies taken which will be removed from the premises under Clause 86(1) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Stephen Ladyman: The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) will be subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA 1998).
	The CSCI will therefore be required to provide 'fair processing information' to persons whose records are inspected, unless:
	there is disproportionate effort in doing so
	they are satisfied that the subjects have already been adequately informed, or
	in the case of an investigation, to do so would prejudice the investigation.
	Under the DPA 1998, organisations that will be subject to CSCI or other inspections must also ensure that patients are made aware that their records may be accessed by CSCI and the reasons why this may be necessary.

Contingency Plans

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the dissemination of lessons learned from major incident exercises by the Health Protection Agency will be made public.

Melanie Johnson: The primary purpose of all major incident exercises is to identify lessons that can be used internally as a means of improving plans and training in all participating organisations. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) ensures that rigorous debriefing takes place following such events and that specific lessons are identified and shared with national health service and other participating organisations. An executive summary of the report of exercises—specifically identifying any general lessons learnt—will be placed on the HPA website at www.hpa.org.uk to ensure that the information is more widely disseminated.

Correspondence

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to reply to the letter of 26 June from the honourable Member for Sutton and Cheam regarding Mr.A.Dharsi, a constituent.

Rosie Winterton: A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 10 July 2003.

Eating Disorders

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines have been issued by his Department on supporting carers of patients with anorexia.

Rosie Winterton: The Department of Health issued guidance in November 2002 called "Developing services for carers and families of people with mental illness", which will be of value to all those carers supporting people with mental health problems, including patients with anorexia.
	The NHS Plan set a target for 2004 that 700 more staff will be recruited to increase the breaks available for carers and to strengthen carer support networks. In pursuance of this target, all regular carers of people with mental health problems will have been identified, received an assessment and have their own care support plans by 2004. By 2004, local support networks for these carers will have been developed. The statutory and voluntary sector currently provides support to carers.

Erectile Dysfunction

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ask the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to evaluate the (a) clinical and (b) cost effectiveness of providing PDE5 inhibitors on the NHS for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Melanie Johnson: We have no plans to ask the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of providing PDE5 inhibitors on the National Health Service for erectile dysfunction. A review of the current policy was conducted as recently as 2001.

Food Standards

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken (a) to detect the increased use of foreign animal hydrolysed proteins in meat consumed in the UK and (b) to ensure traceability and detectability.

Melanie Johnson: Further to the discovery of the use of hydrolysed proteins from non-chicken origin in chicken products on sale in the UK in late 2001, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) undertook a co-ordinated enforcement exercise with 20 local authorities. The exercise targeted those companies and products where use of hydrolysed proteins of non-chicken origin had previously been found. The results indicated that of the 25 formal samples taken, 12 tested positive for non-chicken DNA (either pork or in one case pork and beef).
	The FSA is taking action to reduce the use of hydrolysed proteins of non-chicken origin in chicken products. As a result of the enforcement exercise, local authorities are taking follow-up action with the importers and suppliers of mislabelled chicken products, and will be making regular checks. The companies using these hydrolysed proteins can be identified from the licensed health marks used on these products, therefore the FSA is also working closely with the Dutch authorities to increase sampling and inspection of these manufacturers. Formal action has recently been taken against five Dutch processors. Following FSA pressure, the European Commission has agreed to improve rules on labelling of meat products with added water, but the FSA is calling in addition for a limit on added water of 15 per cent. and a ban the use of non-poultry proteins in this type of poultry product.

Food Supplements

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to make it his policy to consult industry and to produce a list of those nutrients and nutrient sources which are legally available in food supplements but which are not listed as acceptable for such use in the Schedules to the proposed Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003; and if he will publish such a list in the Official Report.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which has responsibility for policy on food supplements, has no plans to ask industry to produce such a list.
	Industry has already provided the FSA with information on those nutrients and nutrient sources currently marketed in the United Kingdom but missing from the Schedules to the Food Supplement (England) Regulations 2003. For lists of missing nutrients and nutrient sources, may I refer the hon. Member to the responses I gave the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on Monday 30 June 2003, Official Report, columns 142W and 181W.

Food Supplements

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dossiers are being prepared by the food supplements industry for submission to the EU Scientific Committee for Food in relation to nutrients and nutrient sources which are legally available in food supplements, but which are not listed as acceptable for such use in the Schedules to the proposed Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003.

Melanie Johnson: Industry representatives have informed the Food Standards Agency that 24 safety dossiers are currently being prepared to support the addition of missing substances to the permitted lists in the Annexes to the Food Supplements Directive.

Food Supplements

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for animal testing of nutrients and nutrient sources of the requirements of the Food Supplements Directive that dossiers must be submitted for consideration by the European Scientific Committee for Food in relation to nutrients and nutrient sources which are legally available in food supplements, but which are not listed as acceptable for such use in the Schedules to the proposed Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003.

Melanie Johnson: The lists of permitted vitamins/minerals and their sources in the Food Supplements Directive may be extended following assessment, by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), of dossiers of information supporting the use of additional vitamins and minerals and their sources.
	It is not possible to predict what implications dossier requirements may have for animal testing. Guidance on dossier content, issued by the former European Union Scientific Committee on Food, does not stipulate that data should be from animal testing and states that the available data should be submitted in the first instance. The need to generate new data will be assessed on a case-by-case basis; it will depend upon the extent and nature of data already available and any safety considerations that need to be addressed. It will be for the petitioner to decide on the most appropriate data package.
	In recognition of the difficulties associated with compilation of dossiers, the Food Standards Agency has been pressing the EFSA for an urgent, substantive discussion involving representatives of relevant interest groups. The European Commission supports this move. The EFSA has responded positively and we expect a meeting to be arranged soon.

Food Supplements

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date food supplement products will be required to be removed from the market if they contain nutrients and nutrient sources which are not listed as acceptable for such use in the Schedules to the proposed Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003.

Melanie Johnson: The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 will come into force on 1 August 2005. From that date, the sale of food supplements containing vitamins or minerals not in the Schedules will be prohibited, unless the criteria in regulation 5(3), which permit continued sale until 1 January 2010, are met.

Food Supplements

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from the National Association of Health Stores in relation to the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive and the Food Supplements (England) Regulations; and what response he has made to those representations.

Melanie Johnson: Ministers have received a number of recent written representations from, and on behalf of, the National Association of Health Stores (NAHS) expressing NAHS's concerns over the impact of the Food Supplements Directive and the implementing regulations. In particular, NAHS voiced particular concerns over the current composition of the lists of permitted substances in the annexes to the Directive and asked that the United Kingdom seek an amendment to the Directive.
	Ministers have responded recognising those concerns and setting out the Government's view that there was no possibility of negotiations on the Directive being reopened. Many Member States wanted a much more restrictive regime.
	No aspect of the Directive needs to be implemented by the industry until 1 August 2005 and the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 make use of flexibility in the Directive that means marketing of some products may not be affected until 1 January 2010.
	Food supplements containing vitamins and minerals and their sources missing from the positive lists, that were on the market when the Directive came into force may continue to be marketed beyond 1 August 2005 provided that dossiers to support their addition to the positive lists have been submitted to the European Commission before 12 July 2005 and provided that the European Food Safety Authority has not given a negative opinion on such use.

Free Prescriptions

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of providing free prescriptions to all patients in England.

Rosie Winterton: We estimate that the loss of prescription charge income in England would be around £446 million in 2003–04. Additionally, there could be significant additional costs to the drugs bill if people who currently pay charges sought prescriptions for medicines and other items which they currently purchase.

Free Prescriptions

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce free prescriptions for those aged 21 or under who are not in full time employment.

Rosie Winterton: People aged 21 or under who are not in full time employment are entitled to free national health service prescriptions if they hold a maternity or medical exemption certificate; receive income support or income based jobseekers' allowance, are named on a Tax Credit NHS exemption certificate; or hold a NHS low income scheme exemption certificate for full help.
	Patients who pay charges and need frequent prescriptions may benefit from purchasing a prescription prepayment certificate.

General Practitioners

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the accreditation and payment plans of GPs with special interests;
	(2)  whether mental health is included in the new sets of guidelines for GPs with special interests; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Mental health is one of the new guidelines for general practitioners with a special interest (GPwSI) published by the Department of Health on 24 April. These guidelines were commissioned from the Royal College of General Practitioners. They link closely with relevant national service frameworks and draw on good practice and experience nationally to offer support to primary care trusts (PCTs) in extending the range of services offered in primary care. Accreditation and remuneration of GPwSIs are both matters for PCTs to determine locally except, in future, where the GPwSI service falls within the scope of a national enhanced service under the new general medical services contract, when national benchmark prices will apply as a minimum price.

Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he expects the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection to give notice where it intends to enter and inspect premises under clause 62 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Rosie Winterton: We expect that the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) will normally enter and inspect premises by agreement with their owners.
	However it will be for CHAI to decide whether it is appropriate to give notice that it intends to enter premises using the power in Clause 60 (formerly Clause 62) of the Bill.

Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he has set for the right of entry to be considered necessary or expedient under clause 63 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Rosie Winterton: The Secretary of State has set no criteria for the right of entry to be considered necessary or expedient under clause 65: Right of entry: supplementary (formerly clause 63) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether a person working at the premises will have the right to refuse to be interviewed under clause 63(1)(c)(i) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

Rosie Winterton: Clause 61 (formerly clause 63(1)(c)(i)) gives the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) power to interview in private any person working at premises which CHAI is inspecting. Clause 61(5) provides that it would be an offence to obstruct CHAI in the exercise of its functions, and this provision is intended to make clear (mirroring existing provision in the Care Standards Act) that a manager must not prevent any person who consents to being interviewed by CHAI being interviewed. In certain circumstances, which will be set out in detail in regulations to be made under clause 61 of the Bill, CHAI will be able to require prescribed persons to give explanations of prescribed matters to CHAI. Failure without reasonable excuse to do so in these circumstances would be a criminal offence.

Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection will give notice where it requires a person to provide it with information, records and other items under Clause 64 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill; where a person is required to provide it with information and records, if these will be protected under the Data Protection Act 1998; and if he will put in place safeguards in such cases to ensure (a) that only records relevant to an investigation are requested and (b) that an individual's right to privacy is protected.

Rosie Winterton: We expect that the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) will normally obtain information by agreement. Where it exercises the power in clause 62 (previously 64) to require the provision of information or documents, we expect that it will normally do so in writing.Individuals' rights to privacy will be protected by the offence of disclosure of confidential information in Clause 129 of the Bill and also by the Data Protection Act. Under clause 62(1)(b), CHAI may only request information and documents which it considers necessary or expedient to have for the purposes of Chapter 3.

Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what, under Clause 60 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, will be the specified factors that will determine a fee by the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection;
	(2)  who, under Clause 60 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, will appoint the independent person or panel who will be able to review the amount charged by the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection in respect of fees for its reviewing and investigating functions; and what their terms of reference will be.

Rosie Winterton: Section 57(7) (formerly section 60(7)) will allow the Secretary of State to set out in regulations provision for an independent person or panel to review fees payable in particular classes of cases under section 57(1). These regulations may also include any terms of reference the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
	Under section 57(3) (formerly section 60(3)) the Secretary of State may also specify in regulations the factors that the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection must take into account in determining any fee payable under section 57(1).

Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection will require a notice period to be given to make available for inspection a report published by it under Clause 61 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill;
	(2)  whether, under Clause 61 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, there will be a scale of fees for providing (a) a copy of a report published by the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection and (b) other information relevant to the discharge of the Commission's functions.

Rosie Winterton: Clause 59 (formerly Clause 6) stipulates that the Commission and Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) must make copies of any report published by it under Chapter 3 of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill available for inspection at its offices by any person at a reasonable time. It does not provide for CHAI to require that a period of notice be given beforehand.
	It also provides for CHAI to charge a fee for copies of any report published by it under Chapter 3 of the Bill or to supply other information relevant to the discharge of its functions under this chapter.
	It will be for CHAI to determine what constitutes a reasonable fee for any requested report and for any other additional information that an individual may request.

Health Records

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made in investigating the pulping of the public health files in 1974.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 10 July 2003
	An informal review is being undertaken by the Department of Health to clarify the facts surrounding the drive for United Kingdom self sufficiency in blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The review is based on papers available from the time and is not addressing allegations that files from that period went missing.

Health Records

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that patients are given access to their medical records relating to plasma; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 10 July 2003
	It is the responsibility of individual national health service organisations to ensure that they comply with legal requirements when dealing with requests for access to health records. The Data Protection Act 1998 provides individuals with a right of access to their health records. However there are certain circumstances in which the record holder may withhold information.
	Access may be denied, or limited, where the information might cause serious harm to the physical or mental health or condition of the patient, or any other person, or where giving access would disclose information relating to or provided by a third person who had not consented to the disclosure. The decision over whether to grant or withhold access must be made by individual record holders. However individuals do have recourse to the NHS complaints procedure if they feel that their application for access has not been dealt with appropriately.

Health Service Contracts

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the new (a) GP and (b) dental contracts will include provision for compulsory clinical negligence indemnity; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: General medical and dental practitioners working under local contracts are already obliged to carry indemnity cover by their contracts with primary care trusts. Practice providers of primary medical services under a general medical services contract will also be required to ensure indemnity cover for the practice as a result of the new contracts they will hold with primary care trusts from April 2004. Similar provision is expected under the new general dental services contracts.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of foundation hospitals on Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.

John Hutton: In line with the principle of earned autonomy for the first wave of national health service foundation trusts, only acute and specialist NHS trusts which have attained three stars in the NHS performance ratings were eligible to apply.
	Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has two stars, which means that it is not eligible to apply for NHS foundation trust status at present. However, with mechanisms, including the recently announced improvement programme, in place to raise the performance of all NHS trusts, it is expected that all NHS trusts will have the opportunity to apply for NHS foundation trust status within the next five years.

Male Impotence Drugs

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost has been of male impotence drugs to the national health service in each year since they were added to Schedule 11 of the Selected List Of NHS Drugs.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Number of prescription items and Net Ingredient Cost (thousands) of products for treatment of impotence prescribed in GP practices in England and dispensed in the community, 1999–00 to 2002–03 -- £000
		
			  Number of prescription items (Thousand) Net ingredient cost  
		
		
			 1999–2000 518.1 17,465.1 
			 2000–01 720.8 23,393.1 
			 2001–02 914.2 29,301.7 
			 2002–03 1,097.0 35,261.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The therapeutic classifications are based on British National Formulary section 7.4.5 (Drugs for erectile dysfunction).
	2. The data is based on prescriptions prescribed in GP practices in England which are dispensed in the community. Hospital and private prescriptions are not included.
	3. The net ingredient cost (NIC) refers to the cost of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees. It does not include any adjustment for income obtained where a prescription charge is paid at the time the prescription is dispensed or where the patient has purchased a pre-payment certificate.
	Source
	Prescribing Analyses and Cost (PACT) from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

Independent Review

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2003, ref 123300, what the terms of reference are of the independent review; and when it will report.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 11 July 2003
	The review will cover the process of reviewing eligibility criteria, arrangements to ensure that those criteria are applied consistently, the information provided to patients and the operation of complaints procedures. It is expected to report in March 2004.

Medical Devices

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce national standards for training in the use of medical devices.

Melanie Johnson: The training in the use of medical devices is the responsibility of national health service hospital trusts' chief executives, who must follow the guidance of the Controls Assurance Standards to ensure that all staff are adequately trained to use all equipment they need to work with.

Mental Health

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to improve the treatment of those suffering from acute personality disorders.

Rosie Winterton: The Government are committed to improving the care, treatment and management of people with personality disorder. One component of the work is the provision of appropriate assessment and treatment services for the small number of people with severe personality disorder (probably less than 2,500 nationally) who pose a continued risk to others. New facilities, in both prisons and secure psychiatric hospitals, will evaluate what the most effective methods of treatment are and consider how people can be helped back into society. This is known as the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD) Programme.
	In addition, "Personality disorder: no longer a diagnosis of exclusion"—policy implementation guidance for the development of services for people with personality disorder—was published by National Institute for Mental Health in England in January 2003. This guidance builds on standards four and five in the national service framework for mental health and sets out how services for people with personality disorder should be developed. It brings this often neglected and isolated area of mental health into focus for the first time.

Mental Health

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on the separation of mental health patients with differing degrees of mental illness.

Rosie Winterton: Clinical assessment of need is the key to effective ward organisation. "Mental Health Policy Implementation Guide on Adult Acute Inpatient Care Provision" (2002) and "Safety, Privacy and Dignity in Mental Health Units" (2000) provides the principles of achieving such effective organisation in detail.
	The guides state that the focus should be on admission to the most appropriate setting in line with the patient's needs within a whole system approach. It also reiterates the need to have clear admission and bed management protocols in place, as well as the necessary clinical governance arrangements to monitor and address concerns in respect of unmet needs.

MRI Scanners

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the staffing levels for operating the MRI scanners in Shropshire NHS trusts.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 11 July 2003
	The information requested is not held centrally.

MRI Scanners

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how old the MRI scanner at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford is.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 11 July 2003
	I understand that the magnetic resonance imaging scanner at the Princess Royal Hospital was originally manufactured in 1989. It was installed at the Princess Royal Hospital in January 1995. In 1998, a major upgrade was carried out, which brought the scanner up to the latest specification.

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has to locate staff within the Government Office of the North West area during 2003; and when this will be.

Melanie Johnson: Since 7 July 2003, the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse has had one regional manager and two support staff based in the Government office in the North West. Two additional members of staff are expected to take up their posts later this summer.

NHS Dentistry

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that patients seeking a new dentist are able to continue receiving NHS treatment.

Rosie Winterton: General dental practitioners are independent contractors and, as such, are free to choose the proportions of national health service or private dentistry they wish to provide. Under NHS terms of service, dentists who stop offering NHS treatment are required to complete any outstanding treatment on the NHS or notify the appropriate primary care trust (PCT) if this is not possible.
	Where dentists withdraw from providing NHS dentistry, PCTs can apply to the Secretary of State for agreement to fund salaried dental practitioners under section 56 of the 1977 NHS Act.
	NHS Direct can put patients in touch with sources of NHS dentistry including community dental services, dental access centres and general dental practitioners offering treatment under general dental services.

NHS Dentistry

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to prevent dentists removing from their list patients who receive NHS treatment.

Rosie Winterton: General dental practitioners are independent contractors and, as such, are free to choose the amount of national health service or private dentistry they wish to provide.
	Under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, the intention is to move to practice based contracts which will allow alternative ways of rewarding dentists to provide a defined level of service for a given number of people. Dentists will receive a more secure income in return for making a longer term commitment to the NHS.

NHS Recruitment

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it cost the (a) Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, (b) Lancashire Care and (c) South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trusts to place the job advertisement in the Nursing Times on 17 June.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

NHS Recruitment

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the targets of (a) 7,500 consultants and 2,000 general practitioners by 2004 and (b) 15,000 consultants and general practitioners by 2008.

John Hutton: Between September 1999 and September 2002, the number of consultants working in the National Health Service increased by 3,749 from 23,321 to 27,070.
	Between September 1999 and September 2002, the number of general practitioners working in the NHS increased by 735 from 28,467 to 29,202.

Out-patient Appointments

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of (a) new and (b) follow-on out-patient appointments were cancelled at (i) Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, (ii) Royal Bolton hospitals, (iii) Salford Royal hospitals and (iv) Warrington hospital in each year since 1999.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 4 July 2002
	The number of cancelled out-patient appointments, either by the hospital or by the patient, is not collected centrally by the Department of Health.
	Information is available for each national health service trust and primary care trust on the number of patients who do not attend their out-patient appointment without giving prior notice. This information is published on the Department's website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity.

Private Healthcare

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what areas of private healthcare are to be transferred to the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Improvement under the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill;
	(2)  what areas of private healthcare are regulated by the National Care Standards Commission;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to ensure a comprehensive system of regulation for all private healthcare is in place.

Rosie Winterton: Under the Care Standards Act 2000 the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) is responsible for the regulation of independent health care and social care. The term 'independent health care' refers to private or voluntary establishments or agencies that provide care by medical practitioners, and such providers are registered as independent hospitals, independent clinics or independent medical agencies. Subject to Parliamentary approval of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) will take over responsibility for the regulation of independent health care from April 2004.
	The NCSC is also responsible for the regulation of care homes in which nursing is provided, and nurses' agencies, but these are classified as social care and responsibility for their regulation will transfer to the Commission for Social Care Inspection from April 2004.
	The Government have already ensured that a comprehensive system of regulation of private health care is in place by introducing the Care Standards Act, which has made unprecedented improvements on previous regulatory schemes. These include increased scope of regulation, a single regulator to promote consistency of application, national minimum standards and powers to inspect clinical performance. This will continue under CHAI.

Ritalin

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each primary care trust aged up to four have been prescribed Ritalin in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 8 July 2003, Official Report, columns 783–84W, on age-related prescribing of methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin) in primary care trusts. Additionally, this controlled drug is licensed for use in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder only in children aged six years and above.

Sexual Health

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to design NHS sexual health services which are aimed at appealing to young men.

Melanie Johnson: In implementing the national strategy for sexual health and HIV, the Department of Health has published a sexual health promotion toolkit, which provides practical advice to those working in the field of sexual health promotion with young men, to ensure that they are proactively targeted and that services are open and welcoming. Also, the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy recognises that increasing the involvement of boys and young men in decisions about sexual health is crucial and young men are, therefore, included in all aspects of the strategy. The Department is also funding the Men's Health Forum to investigate men's perceptions and attitudes towards chlamydia and to identify the best way to target men, both with information and for screening.

Sexual Health

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a chlamydia screening programme for young women.

Melanie Johnson: The Department is already rolling out a national chlamydia screening programme for young women. Indeed, screening for chlamydia is now widely available in local national health service sexual health (genito-urinary medicine) clinics. Following the successful completion of a pilot study, 10 areas, covering 30 primary care trusts and over 400 individual testing sites, are developing an improved screening programme within a standard framework, which we are extending further.

Smacking

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned on the percentage of parents who smack their children.

Margaret Hodge: In January 2000, the Government consulted on what the legal position should be on the physical punishment of children, in Protecting Children, Supporting Parents. There were over 830 responses to the consultation in England, over 500 of these from individuals. The consultation did not specifically ask about smacking behaviour. However, the results showed that about 70 per cent. of individual respondents were in favour of keeping the status quo with regard to the smacking of children by parents.
	A 1998 Office for National Statistics (ONS) Omnibus Survey of attitudes towards physical punishment found that 88 per cent. of respondents agreed that it is sometimes necessary to smack a naughty child.

Smoking

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people who (a) took up smoking and (b) permanently stopped smoking in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for public health, my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears) to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Paul Flynn) on 6 February 2003, Official Report, columns 454–55W.

Tranquillisers/Anti-depressants

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net ingredient cost of GP prescribed (a) tranquillisers and (b) anti-depressants was (i) in total cash terms and (ii) per head of population in each primary care trust in England in 2002; and what the (A) total cost and (B) average per head cost was for England in 2002.

Rosie Winterton: Information has been placed in the Library which shows the number of prescription items, the net ingredient cost and the net ingredient cost per 1,000 people, of all hypnotic and anxiolytic drugs, and anti-depressant drugs, prescribed in general practitioner practices in England and dispensed in the community in 2002, by primary care trust. Information on total cash and total cost figures are not available and have been substituted with net ingredient costs.

Tuberculosis

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is available to the health service on the treatment of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis; and what monitoring systems are in place to ensure compliance with such guidance.

Melanie Johnson: The Interdepartmental Working Group on Tuberculosis publication entitled "The Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in the United Kingdom": UK Guidance on the Prevention and Control of Transmission of
	1. HIV-related tuberculosis
	2. drug resistant tuberculosis (1998)
	provides information for the National Health Service on drug resistant and multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) and process of notification.
	All forms of TB are compulsorily notifiable by the physician making or suspecting the diagnosis under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984.
	In addition, the Public Health Laboratory Service streamlined and improved its diagnostic services for TB, strengthened surveillance and monitoring of drug resistant TB, and, following the last of a series of five-yearly detailed surveys of notifications in 1998, introduced continuous enhanced surveillance in January 1999. From 2002, this enhanced surveillance has included monitoring of the outcome of treatment.

Victoria Climbié

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the Victoria Climbié Inquiry; how long it lasted; and how many days it sat in public.

Margaret Hodge: I have been asked to reply.
	The total expenditure of the Victoria Climbié Inquiry, from its establishment on 20 April 2001 to its report being presented to the Government on 6 January 2003, was £3.8 million.
	Other details relating to the Inquiry can be obtained from the Victoria Climbié Inquiry website, www.victoriaclimbie.org.uk.

Waiting Lists/Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the mid-Essex Hospital Trust area are waiting for in-patient treatment.

Stephen Ladyman: holding answer 10 July 2003
	There were 8,710 patients waiting for inpatient treatment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust at the end of May 2003.
	Source:
	Department of Health monthly monitoring figures.

TREASURY

Benefits Uptake

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of eligible individuals who have failed to apply for (a) working tax credit, (b) minimum income guarantee and (c) child tax credit within the Crosby constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: No estimates are available for the Child or Working Tax Credit, or the Minimum Income Guarantee, in each constituency.

Biodiesel Duty

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the basis for his decision on the rate by which duty on biodiesel is being reduced; what consultations he held with the fuel industry; and what reductions the industry proposed.

John Healey: I did so in my answer to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 22 May 2003, Official Report, column 882W.
	We held a number of meetings and received a number of representations about the level of duty on biodiesel.

Census

Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to use the one-number census process to determine population in the future.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mark Field, dated 14 July 2003
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking if it is policy to use the One Number Census process to determine population in the future. (124747)
	In the UK, the mid-year population estimates are based on an internationally accepted and widely employed demographic method. Using this method, estimates are produced by updating from a census base allowing for births, deaths and net migration. This basic method will continue to be employed in the future. However, we are continuing with research into improving our methods of estimating the components of population change between the censuses. The 2001 census showed we need to be much better at this. In particular the Office for National Statistics published on the 9th July a study looking at the future of population statistics; this is available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/Methodology by theme/Dem Stat Ser 21ST Cen.asp
	Further, a National Statistics Quality Review on International Migration Statistics is nearing completion and this will make recommendations on improving the accuracy of these statistics, which are the most difficult component of population change to measure accurately.
	A research programme, the Census Strategic Development Programme, has been established to co-ordinate the future development of the census. This programme will explore the modifications to a traditional census, taking account of the lessons from the 2001 census and harnessing modern technologies. Other potential options are being explored including: a rolling census, covering successive sections of the population; a sample census, only ever covering a percentage of the population; producing statistics from existing person-based data held by government for administrative purposes; or some combination of these. The first phase of this research will result in recommendations in late 2003.
	The One Number Census process added considerably to our knowledge of the quality of the census at a local authority level. However, in the future it will be possible to place even more emphasis on producing measures of quality. This will be a critical shift in determining future actions.

Council Tax

Colin Breed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average proportion of income paid out in council tax by a pensioner household in the South West of England is.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Colin Breed dated 14 July 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for the average proportion of income paid out in council tax by a pensioner household in the South-West of England. (124620)
	Estimates for council taxes and income are based on the analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income 2001–02" produced by the ONS and published on the National Statistics website on April 11 2003 and in Economic Trends in the May 2003 edition. The analysis can be obtained from the House of Commons Library. This includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey.
	Pensioner households have been defined as those where the Household Reference Person is retired. The Household Reference Person is defined as retired if aged 65 years or more and male, or 60 years or more and female, and economically inactive. The Household Reference Person is identified during the interview and is defined as the member of the household who:
	a. owns the household accommodation, or
	b. is legally responsible for the rent of the accommodation, or
	c. has the household accommodation as an emolument or perquisite, or
	d. has the household accommodation by virtue of some relationship to the owner who is not a member of the household.
	If there are joint householders, the Household Reference Person will be the householder with the highest income. If the income is the same, then the eldest householder is taken.
	The estimated net council tax paid as a percentage of gross income for pensioner households in the South-West of England is 3.6 per cent. Net council tax is derived from gross council tax less benefits and discounts.

Council Tax

Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the average proportion of income paid out in council tax by a non-pensioner household in the South West of England was in 2002–03;
	(2)  what the average proportion of income paid out in council tax by a household in the top income decile in the South-West of England was in 2002–03.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Andrew George, dated 14 July 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking for the average proportion of income paid out in council tax by a household in the top income decile in the South-West of England in 2002–03 and the average proportion of income paid out in council tax by a non-pensioner households in the South-West of England in 2002–03. (124674, 124677).
	Estimates for council taxes and income are based on the analysis "The effects of taxes and benefits on household income 2001–02" produced by the ONS and published on the National Statistics website on April 11th 2003 and in Economic Trends in the May 2003 edition. The analysis can be obtained from the House of Commons Library. This includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey (EFS).
	Sample sizes for all households in the South-West are only sufficient to allow a breakdown to be given by quintiles of incme distribution and not by decile. The latest analysis from which estimates can be provided is for 2001–02 and results for 2002–03 will not be available until 2004.
	Non-pensioner households have been defined as those where the Household Reference Person is not retired. The Household Reference Person is defined as retired if 65 years or more and male, or 60 years of age or more and female, and economically inactive. The Household Reference Person is identified during the interview and is defined as the member of the household who:
	a. owns household accommodation, or
	b. is legally responsible for the rent of the accommodation, or
	c. has the household accommodation as an emolument or perquisite, or
	d. has the household accommodation by virtue of some relationship to the owner who is not a member of the household.
	If there are joint householders, the Household Reference Person will be the householder with the highest income. If the income is the same, then the eldest householder is taken.
	The following table shows: the estimated net council tax paid as a percentage of gross income for all households and non-pensioner households in the South-West, and the percentage paid for all households in the top income quintile (where households are ranked by equivalised disposable income).
	The tope income quintile in the South-West includes all households where the equivalised disposable household income is equal to or more than £26,317 per year. Net council tax is derived from gross council tax less benefits and discounts.
	
		Council tax paid as a percentage of gross income for all household and non-pensioner(38) households in the South-West, 2001–02 (South-West—Percentages)
		
			  Households Top quintile(39) All households 
		
		
			 Net council tax(40) All(38) 1.5 2.5 
			  Non-pensioner — 2.2 
		
	
	(38) Household reference person is not retired.
	(39) Households with equivalised disposable household income of or above £26.317 per year.
	(40) Net council taxes after deducting benefits and discounts
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis. The effects of taxes and benefits on households income. Published on the ONS website and in Economic Trends No 594 May 2203

Defence Budget

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated total Government expenditure on military activities (a) was in 2002–03 and (b) will be in 2003–04.

Paul Boateng: Estimated expenditure for military activities for 2002–03 and planned expenditure for 2003–04 can be found the Ministry of Defence's Government Expenditure Plans 2003–04 to 2005–06.
	In particular reference to the cost of conflict prevention in 2002–03 the provisional outturn is as follows.
	
		
			  £ million 
		
		
			 Resource DEL 1,323 
			 Annually Managed Expenditure 159 
			 Capital DEL 332 
		
	
	It is not possible to provide an estimated cost of conflict prevention for 2003–04 as these rely on a number of unknown factors such as the length and amount of military activity needed in each theatre of operation.

Defence Budget

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of tax revenues in 2003–04 will be directed to the Ministry of Defence budget; and what proportion is allocated to (a) conflict resolution and (b) peace-keeping.

Paul Boateng: The Government do not specifically allocate funds to Departments based on percentage of tax revenues but through the Government Spending Review and the supply estimate process. Budget 2003, table C12, sets out allocations of £30.8 billion resource and £ 6.1 billion capital for the Ministry of Defence budget in 2003–04.

Environmental Appraisals

John Horam: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the Department's policies have been screened for their environmental impact since June 2001; how many environmental appraisals have been conducted, and on what policy issues; and what information has been published about these screenings and appraisals.

John Healey: The Government are committed to appraising the environmental impact of Budget measures, and publishes information relating to those impacts annually, in tables 1 and 2 of Chapter 7 of the Budget Red Book.
	Furthermore, for the first time in Spending Review 2002, departments with a Public Service Agreement were asked to produce Sustainable Development Reports, identifying the social, economic and environmental implications of their policy priorities. The Spending Review White Paper: Opportunity and Security for All, was the main output of SR2002.

European Economic Convergence

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he would take following a decision to implement a discretionary fiscal policy to stabilise the economy as discussed in the Treasury publication Fiscal Stabilisation and EMU, to reconcile conflicting demands of fiscal sustainability and macroeconomic stability, as described in paragraph 4.23 of the document.

Paul Boateng: Inside or outside EMU, the Government's pre-eminent fiscal objective is to ensure sound public finances over the medium term.
	In the event of EMU entry, the adoption of an explicit fiscal stabilisation objective and rule would add an element of pre-commitment and help ensure that discretionary fiscal policy operated symmetrically over the cycle and hence it would underpin rather than threaten fiscal sustainability.

European Union

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid to the European Union to fund the operation of the (a) European Commission, (b) European Parliament and (c) European Council of Ministers in the last financial year.

Dawn Primarolo: The United Kingdom contributes to the EC budget as a whole and not to individual Community institutions. In 2002, the UK's gross contribution after abatement, as shown in Supplementary and Amending Budget No 3/2003 was 10.6 billion euro.

Firearms

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firearms were detected by HM Customs officers in the possession of passengers disembarking from aircraft at Farnborough, Hampshire on 30 November 1999, broken down by (a) type of firearm, (b) the operator of the flight from which the passenger had alighted, (c) the passenger's nationality and (d) the action taken by HM Customs and Excise.

John Healey: The information requested is not available; Exemption 14 (Information given in confidence) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies to all such information.

Income Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the yield from an increase in income tax on all taxable income below (a) £100,000 and (b) £50,000 of (i) 1p, (ii) 2p, (iii) 3p and (iv) 4p in (A) the current financial year and (B) 2004–05.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is given in the table.
	
		£ billion
		
			 Increase in all rates Yield from increase in income tax on alltaxable income 
			 of income tax (A) 2003–04 (B) 2004–05 
		
		
			  (a) taxable income below £100,000 
			 (i)1p 4.7 5.0 
			 (ii) 2p 9.4 10.0 
			 (iii) 3p 14.1 15.0 
			 (iv) 4p 18.8 20.0 
			
			  (b) taxable income below £50,000 
			 (i)1p 4.4 4.7 
			 (ii) 2p 8.8 9.4 
			 (iii) 3p 13.2 14.1 
			 (iv) 4p 17.6 18.8 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the April 2003 Budget.
	All the figures shown are the estimated direct effects of tax changes on tax revenues. In practice, tax changes will themselves effect taxpayer behaviour and economic variables, which in turn will have further effects on tax revenues.

Income Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the yield from an increase in income tax on all taxable income from earnings only of (a) 1p, (b) 2p, (c) 3p and (d) 4p in (i) the current financial year and (ii) 2004–05.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is given in the table.
	
		£ billion
		
			 Increase in starting rate, basic rate and higher rate of income Yield from increase in income tax on all taxable income from earnings 
			 tax on earnings (i) 2003–04 (ii) 2004–05 
		
		
			  
			  
			 (a) 1p 4.8 5.1 
			 (b) 2p 9.6 10.2 
			 (c) 3p 14.4 15.3 
			 (d) 4p 19.2 20.4 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the April 2003 Budget.
	All the figures shown are the estimated direct effects of tax changes on tax revenues. In practice, tax changes will themselves effect taxpayer behaviour and economic variables, which in turn will have further effects on tax revenues.

Income Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the yield from an increase in income tax on all taxable income from earnings only below (a) £100,000 and (b) £50,000 of (i) 1p, (ii) 2p, (iii) 3p and (iv) 4p in (A) the current financial year and (B) 2004–05.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is given in the following table.
	
		
			 Increase in income tax rates on earned  Yield from increase in income tax rates on earned income (£ billion) 
			 income (A) 2003–04 (B) 2004–05 
		
		
			  (a) Total earnings below £100,000 
			 (i) 1p 4.4 4.7 
			 (ii) 2p 8.8 9.4 
			 (iii) 3p 13.2 14.1 
			 (iv) 4p 17.6 18.8 
			  (b) Total earnings below £50,000 
			 (i) 1p 4.1 4.4 
			 (ii) 2p 8.2 8.8 
			 (iii) 3p 12.3 13.2 
			 (iv) 4p 16.4 17.6 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the April 2003 Budget.
	All the figures shown are the estimated direct effects of tax changes on tax revenues. In practice, tax changes will themselves effect taxpayer behaviour and economic variables, which in turn will have further effects on tax revenues.

Income Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will estimate the yield from an increase in income tax on all taxable income of (a) 1p, (b) 2p, (c) 3p and (d) 4p in (i) the current financial year and (ii) 2004–05;
	(2)  if he will estimate the yield from an increase in the base rate of income tax of (a) 1p, (b) 2p, (c) 3p and (d) 4p in (i) the current financial year and (ii) 2004–05.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to table 1.6 on the Inland Revenue website www.inlandrevenue. gov.uk/stats/tax expenditures/g t06 1.htm.

Iraq

Robert Syms: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to set aside further funds to pay for actions involving British troops in Iraq.

Paul Boateng: The Chancellor set aside a £3 billion special reserve in the Budget to cover the cost of military operations in Iraq.

Northern Ireland

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was collected through stamp duty in Northern Ireland in the last financial year.

Dawn Primarolo: Stamp duty receipts processed by the Belfast stamp office, the only stamp office in Northern Ireland, amounted to £55 million in 2002–03. However this does not reflect the total amount of stamp duty (including Stamp Duty Reserve Tax ("SDRT")) paid by residents of Northern Ireland. SDRT on share transactions is collected via the CREST electronic settlement system and information on the geographical location of the underlying share transaction is not maintained.

Departmental Policies

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policies (a) initiated and (b) managed by his Department since 2001 have had an impact on Pendle; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: In common with all constituencies in the UK, Pendle has benefited from the stability created by this Government's new macroeconomic frameworks and reforms of productivity and labour market opportunities. This has, for example, resulted in a 23 per cent. fall in Pendle's claimant count unemployment, and an 88 per cent. fall in its long-term claimant unemployment, since April 1997.
	As at November 2002, 3,428 families in Pendle were receiving the working families tax credit and 75 disabled people were in receipt of the disabled person's tax credit (now both replaced by the working tax credit and the child tax credit).
	In addition, in 2003–04 Pendle shire district council received a 12½ per cent. increase in formula grant from central Government, while the North West Development Agency's indicative allocation increased by 5.4 per cent. between 2002–03 and 2003–04.
	Pendle's constituents will also benefit from the Government's public services reforms and the £61 billion increase in spending on public services over the next three years which was announced in Spending Review 2002.

Pensions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his further plans for tax treatment of pension funds.

Dawn Primarolo: On 17 December the Government published a consultation document, "Simplifying the taxation of pensions: increasing choice and flexibility". This proposed that the current eight pension tax regimes would be replaced by a single lifetime allowance on tax relieved pension savings.
	The Government are currently considering the responses to the consultation and a further paper, setting out the detail of the proposed regime, will be published in the autumn.

Pensions

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensionable age persons live in each constituency in the UK.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 14 July 2003
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many pensionable age persons live in each constituency in the UK (124760)
	The numbers of persons of pensionable age in each parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom is not yet available from the 2001 Census, although the figures are available for every local authority in England and Wales in Table KS02 of the Census 2001 Key Statistics for local authorities in England and Wales published on 13 February. A copy of this report was placed in the House of Commons Library and is available on the ONS website at http://nswebcopy/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=10150
	The same table will be available for UK Parliamentary Constituencies. It is planned to release this in August or September and a copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
	In addition a printed volume will provide a brief statistical summary of each current UK Parliamentary constituency, including some comparative measures. Electronic supplements will in addition provide Key Statistics and Census Area Statistics, and reference maps for each constituency. It is the intention to issue a further report based on any new constituency boundaries adopted for the next General Election.
	Information from the Censuses in Scotland and Northern Ireland is available from the Registrars General for Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.

Pensions

Hugo Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was produced from direct taxation on pensions in the past five years.

Dawn Primarolo: Available estimates of the amount of income tax paid on private pensions from 1997–98 to 2001–02 are contained in table T7.9 of Inland Revenue Statistics. The latest version is on the Inland Revenue website: http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.Uk/stats/pensions/p t09 1 .htm.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned on professional indemnity insurance cover; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Boateng: The Financial Services Authority has undertaken its own research and is aware of independent research by the Association of Independent Financial Advisers into the market for professional indemnity insurance (PII) for independent financial advisers. That research informs their work to develop policy in this area, including their forthcoming further consultation on PII.

Suicides

Alan Hurst: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths in England have been recorded as suicides in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Alan Hurst, dated 14 July 2003
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many deaths in England have been recorded as suicide in each year since 1990. (124875)
	The most recent available suicide data are for the calendar year 2001. Figures for each year from 1990 to 2001 are given in the table below.
	
		Number of deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely(41), inflicted, England(42), 1990 to 2001(43)
		
			  Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1990 5,209 
			 1991 5,128 
			 1992 5,115 
			 1993 4,929 
			 1994 4,780 
			 1995 4,816 
			 1996 4,572 
			 1997 4,662 
			 1998 4,815 
			 1999 4,828 
			 2000 4,598 
			 2001 4,388 
		
	
	(41) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8for the years 1990 to 2000, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (1CD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.
	(42) Figures are for residents of England.
	(43) Figures are for deaths registered in 1990 to 1992 and for deaths occurring in each calendar year from 1993 to 2001.

Tax Credits

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new child tax credit claims have been (a) refused and (b) investigated as potentially fraudulent.

Dawn Primarolo: The numbers of inquiries into tax credit awards under Section 19 of the Tax Credits Act 2002, of penalties imposed and of prosecutions and convictions for offences connected with tax credits will be published in the annual report required under Section 40 of the Act.

Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of tax credit fraud have been detected in each of the last six years; and how many resulted in successful prosecution.

Dawn Primarolo: The Revenue tackle fraud, error and avoidance using civil investigation and settlement, and applying financial penalties where appropriate. Cases of suspected serious fraud are referred to the Revenue's Special Compliance Office, for civil investigation or prosecution as appropriate. The numbers of civil investigations of serious fraud completed by the SCO are:
	
		
			  Serious fraud cases settled 
		
		
			 2001–02 308 
			 2000–01 310 
			 1999–2000 361 
			 1998–99 315 
			 1997–98 375 
			 1996–97 394 
		
	
	Details of prosecutions by the Revenue are published in their Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the House Library.
	Customs' policy in tackling VAT fraud is to use cost effective civil Procedures wherever possible. Investigation with a view to criminal prosecution is reserved for only the more serious or aggravated cases. The number of VAT fraud cases finalised by the imposition of a civil evasion penalty are:
	
		
			  Number of civil evasion penalties imposed 
		
		
			 1996–97 849 
			 1997–98 898 
			 1998–99 902 
			 1999–2000 860 
			 2000–01 729 
			 2001–02 346 
		
	
	Figures for 2002–03 will be published in Customs' Annual Report. The number of VAT fraud prosecutions is:
	
		
			  Completed prosecutions Successful prosecutions 
		
		
			 1996–97 99 90 
			 1997–98 70 65 
			 1998–99 69 61 
			 1999–2000 94 73 
			 2000–01 37 25 
		
	
	2001–02—89 cases reported for prosecution.
	Figures for the cases reported for prosecution in 2002–03 will be published in Customs' Annual Report.

Tax Credits

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people who are eligible for each of the available tax credits have yet to apply; and how many (a) applications have been received from and (b) eligible applicants there are in (i) the Teesside region and (ii) the Middlesbrough, South and East, Cleveland constituency.

Dawn Primarolo: Six million families are expected to benefit from the Child Tax Credit (CTC) or Working Tax Credit (WTC). I told the House on 7 July that claims had already been received from over 4.5 million families, that 4.25 million families were already in award and that 1.3 million were receiving equivalent support for their children through Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. Since then, tax credit claims have continued to arrive.
	No estimates are available of the number of individuals eligible for the Child or Working Tax Credit in each constituency. Statistics on awards of these tax credits will be published from August.

Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit have (i) been received (ii) are in payment and (iii) are waiting to be processed.

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the number of outstanding claims for (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit for (i) Wales and (ii) the UK; and how many of these were submitted before 4 April.

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit (i) have been received, (ii) are in payment and (iii) are waiting to be processed, broken down by region.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 July 2003
	I refer the hon. Members to my statement to the House on 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 859.
	Claims for Child and Working Tax Credits are made and processed together. No breakdown of the figures in my statement is available below the United Kingdom level. Statistics on awards of these tax credits will be published from August.

Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department has received relating to (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit.

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department has received relating to (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit, broken down by region.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tax Credits

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people who were receiving working families tax credit in March 2003 (a) received payments of child tax credit by the end of April and (b) had not received their child tax credit by the end of April, broken down by region.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 859.

Tax Credits

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many former recipients of the working families tax credit have been transferred to the (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit; how many new applications for (i) child tax credit and (ii) working tax credit (A) have been received and (B) are in payment.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to my statement to the House on 7 July 2003, Official Report, column 859, and to my answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 3 June 2003, Official Report, columns 379–80W. Claims for child and working tax credits are made and processed together. Statistics on awards of these tax credits will be published from August.

Telecommunications Masts

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

John Healey: None have been received by the Treasury, Inland Revenue or HM Customs and Excise.